HLG 30 UVA VS ECO Farm ECOM 30W UV&IR Supplemental Light Reviews

Plants, like humans, are living organisms.

And just like us they require nutrients and the right conditions to flourish. While plants obviously need water to survive, light is their main source of energy.

The natural light we enjoy here on earth comes from the sun, a blazing mass of fire that produces enough energy to maintain all life forms on this planet. The light from the sun is composed of packets of energy called photons; it is this energy that plants utilize to make their food supply.

The light from the sun is made up of varying wavelengths. Plants use most of this spectrum, some colors far more than others, but they do not make use of ultraviolet and infrared light.

Does this mean that UV light has no effect whatsoever on plants?

Quite the opposite. Varying levels of UV light bring about distinct characteristics in crops. Unfortunately, most of them are negative.

First we will cover the effects of UV light on plants in general and then we will cover the effect of UV on cannabis specifically.

Ultraviolet light is invisible to the naked eye and is the shortest wavelength in the spectrum, lying between 100 to 400 nm (nano meters). Before UV light reaches the earth’s surface, most of it is absorbed by the stratosphere.

The earth’s atmosphere is well-adapted to absorb all UV-C radiation, but UV-A and UV-B light still reaches the earth’s surface. Luckily, this light is not too harmful at the levels that reach us.

It is UV-R light that is most damaging to life forms. Thankfully, only 7-9% of it is able to reach the biosphere.

For this reason, under normal conditions, UV light does not have a substantial impact on plant growth. The exact effects of UV light have been evaluated under laboratory conditions, however.

First things first, UVB light has shown benefits to certain plants, but only when applied at the correct intensity, for the proper length of time, and at the right time.  Otherwise, UV light can be harmful to plants, let alone your eyes or skin — it’s the reason we use sunscreen and wear sunglasses when going outside.

That being said, if used properly, could UV LED’s help plant growth?  It’s a toss-up of whether it’s worth it when reviewing scientific articles.  Most UV LEDs actually only produce UVA light, which can be safer and less damaging than UVB. However, the reason why UVB light is beneficial to plants is because it introduces damage and the plant responds with a defense, so UVB light is ideal.

What’s more, UV LEDs are not as efficient, more expensive, and burn out more quickly than other LEDs. With that in mind, it bears the question if using UVA LEDs is worth it, especially if that power could be redistributed to colors that are proven to increase plant growth.

Ultraviolet light causes the production of resin, and with it THC and CBD, in order to protect the marijuana plant from harmful UV rays. Thus, adding UV light to LED grow lights results in an increase in THC in the resulting buds.

There is no question that at its core, UV light is harmful to plants. But in harming plants, it actually causes them to develop protective mechanisms that make them stronger going forward.

With weed, this results in an increase in THC and CBD. For this reason, feeding your marijuana plants low levels of supplemental UV light will actually help them and generally result in better crops, as is the case with cannabis.

A little less than half the light that reaches the earth’s surface is heat radiation, otherwise known as infrared light. Visible light only makes up a small portion of solar radiation. Along with visible light, the sun emits wavelengths that are too long or too short for us to see. However, we can feel them. Have you ever had a bad sunburn? That’s infrared light at work.

IR light is a part of the electromagnetic light spectrum, where the wavelengths are much longer than those of the visible light spectrum. Most infrared wavelengths range from 700 nanometers up to one millimeter, and they are a primary source of heat transfer. The longer an IR wavelength is, the more heat it produces. There are several types of infrared light:

Though IR light isn’t visible, it does assist in the process of photosynthesis. Infrared light gives the plants a small amount of heat radiation that stimulates growth in the following ways.

Improved blooming. Cultivators have discovered that IR light helps plants flower. This phenomenon is due to the presence of phytochromes, which are special photoreceptors within plants. These receptors regulate critical processes such as stem growth, leaf expansion, and flowering.

A cannabis plant’s phytochromes receive light all day, and structural changes occur depending on the level of light it gets. Growers use IR light to trick plants into thinking that a seasonal change has occurred, changing the growth process. Phytochromes have a strong reaction to IR light, which means that growers don’t have to wait for the right time of year to grow or harvest a crop.

Accelerated growth. Another reason to use IR light is the effects it has on plant growth. Because sunlight is a crucial part of photosynthesis, plants have automatic defenses for when other plants block their light. The purple kush or white widow plants will grow and stretch toward the light. When it’s combined with other types of light, infrared light aids in growth and plant shaping.

Depending on the type of lighting you’re using in your grow room, you may not have a choice. Even with T5s and LEDs, using infrared light may help. Before starting, though, it’s important to consider these factors.

Your plants’ needs. Infrared light may help plants from medical marijuanas seeds or regular autoflower seeds grow and flower because it interacts with phytochromes. However, if the lights are too powerful, they may damage the plants.

Your plans for plant shaping. Because infrared light encourages plants to grow and elongate, it may lead them to become less compact. Consider the size of the grow room before introducing IR lighting.

Overexposure may pose risks to you and your plants. When using IR grow lights, be sure to monitor exposure and wear the right protective gear.

Because infrared light isn’t necessary for plant growth and development, growers should consider the cost of use. For example, those who use HPS lighting must use an HVAC system to manage the heat. These systems can be expensive to maintain and install, and growers should weigh the costs and benefits before proceeding.

The perfect way to add beneficial UVA light to any HLG 550 or HLG 600H LED grow light!. The HLG 30-watt UVA LED bar light contains 365nm + 385nm UV-A which increases your plant yields and makes your plants resistant to fungal infections. UVA light is proven to trigger increased resin production during the final stages of medicinal plants plant growth. This waterproof plant light can withstand humid and wet environments. The passive cool design of the light makes it energy-efficient and cuts down your electricity costs.

• Advanced UV Light Delivers Better Yield: UVA and near-ultraviolet light (365-385nm) are very beneficial for plant development. Scientifically proven to increase resin production in medicinal plants plants.


• Reliable Passive Cool Design: It comes with passively cooled LED bars that provide even light intensity across the whole canopy while keeping the noise down.


• Wide Applications: This plant grow light is suitable for both hydroponics and indoor plants, mainly used for micro-greens and small plants.


• Easy Set-Up: The fixture comes with an easy and quick bolt-on installation. With good heat dissipation and a sturdy body, it’s a durable and long-lasting LED grow light.

HLG 30 UVA Supplement LED bar light is a waterproof plant light that is designed for a 12-hour plant growth cycle. It contains the UVA range between 365nm and 385nm. UVA promotes the overall growth of your plants and is ideal specially for the seedling and sterilization of the plants. It also increases the plants’ resistance to insects, bacteria, and fungus.

This LED plant light is designed to evenly cover a 4x4 or 5x5 space. With the passive cool mechanism of this HLG light combined with the most power-efficient LEDs, this light gets you an amazing yield while lowering your electricity bills.

This lightweight, 24 inches long LED bar light comes with a built-in power supply. The waterproof body makes this light suitable to be used in all environmental conditions.

Installation instructions: The light features bolt-on installation for any HLG 550 or HLG-600H DIY kit. Install hanger clips on the HLG 550 or HLG-600H DIY kit using the power supply screws. Insert the UVA bar into the hanger clips and ensure it is secure.

• Super bright UV LED black light, premium quality 18 x 3-Watt UV LEDs (395-400nm Wavelength, UVA) with 120 degrees of beam angle, create black light effect with whites and neon colors, easily make a normal living room or 2 car garage (20 x 20ft) full of purple glow


• Fully adjustable mounting brackets for wall / ceiling mount or to set on the floor; designed to make white cloths and visible fluorescent materials glow in the dark, great UV LED bar for small club dance floor, school gym, studio, church, studio, birthday and wedding parties, Christmas and Halloween decor, performance stage, mobile DJ events and Karaoke show


• Aluminum alloy housing features an attractive flat back powder coat finish, and vented sides to dissipate heat buildup and extend the life of the fixture


• Universal voltage power supply (AC 100-240V input); easy to operate, just plug into power source and play


• Please note: our 395-400nm UV Light is brighter and offer a larger effective working range (illumination distance) than shorter wavelength UV light, and better for working with other lights; if you need a better color generation comes from UV light without much visible bluish-purple light at dark area, we recommend you choose shorter wavelength (365-370nm / 385-390nm) UV light from us

Ultraviolet light has the potential benefits of increasing THC content, reducing insect harm, and preventing the spread of fungal spores. However, buying a true UV light is expensive! As a grower, it’s important to weigh the benefits and costs of using UV light to decide if it will significantly improve your grow environment. Though infrared grow lights may not be necessary, they do offer advantages that improve the growth and health of cannabis plants. IR lighting stimulates photosynthesis, growth, and flowering, among other important processes. When growers use it in the right way, they may see more benefits than they ever thought would be possible. 

Obviously, your choice of lights are going to be specific to your plant needs, grow space, and even personal preferences based on your past experiences. Growing cannabis for either personal use, or as a cash crop requires a bit of research to determine what is best for your strains, and to maximize potency. One of our top picks based on consumer experiences is the ECO Farm supplemental grow light. The company offers other products that provide a wide spectrum of lights. Plus, the additional fluorescent support provided by the design help ensure healthier grow. This light also provides optimal control for growers who prefer a wider spectrum of light for a wider range of plant needs.