Are you worried about Vitamin D deficiency or seasonal affective disorder? Are you looking for a cheaper alternative to the Sperti Vitamin D Lamp?
In this guide, I’ll show you how to build your own vitamin D lamp step by step!
Here is the finished product:
Since this setup also emits a lot of UVA, it should also be able to function as a tanning lamp for those of you looking for that.
Why Did I Build This?
I live in Michigan, so the sun and temperature are too low for vitamin D production for several months of the year.
Why not use the Sperti lamp? I was curious to see if I could build something similar for a lower price.
Testing the DIY Light
I finally got my hands on a UV spectrometer, so let’s review its actual output and compare it to the Sperti.
Spectral Output
Measuring at around 15 inches from the lamp, similar to the distance you’d use the Sperti, here’s the result:
Spikey like a fluorescent! Let’s look more closely at the UV portion now:
Here, we can see that the DIY with the Arcadia bulbs puts out quite a bit more UVA than UVB. The DIY lamp I made is around 15% UVB and 85% UVA, pretty accurate to the advertised ratios. Meanwhile, the Sperti is closer to 42% UVB and 56% UVA, making it more targeted for vitamin D and less for tanning.
So the Sperti is a bit more “purpose” built than my DIY lamp for vitamin D. However, the DIY lamp is cheaper and clearly still works. The DIY UV ratio is also a bit more “sunlike” because it’s closer to the UVA:UVB ratio of natural sunlight.
Testing Flicker
This isn’t really a “visual” device, but for fun I checked the flicker. It looks like there is some 120 Hz flicker here, which is nothing I’d be too concerned about, especially given the use case.
Does UVA Affect Vitamin D Production?
Kind of.
In this study, in which 75 participants total finished. The researchers compared vitamin D production in 4 groups.
UVB only, UVA only, UVB+UVA, and a control.
It was observed that almost no differences were seen in the full-spectrum UVA+UVB group compared to the UVB-only group.
The full spectrum group actually had a higher mean change in serum D3 than UVB only.
They do note that under longer duration times (≥9 min) UVA may decrease pre-vitamin D3 production. Which is fine; UVA does act as a D3 modulator in nature.
So I don’t think there’s anything to worry about here. It’s likely a good thing as UVA is helpful for nitric oxide production, blood flow, and increasing endorphins.
The Parts You’ll Need to Build It
First, review the parts you’ll want to pick to build our lamp.
Testing and Choosing Your Bulbs
For my original build, I purchased four 14% UVB Arcadia fluorescent lights, which, as you saw in the beginning, worked great! However, I’ve since tested several others, so let’s go over how they compare so you can maybe choose something different if you’d like.
I purchased several UVB bulbs for this test:
- Arcadia 6%
- Arcadia 12%
- Arcadia 14%
- Reptisun 5.0
- Reptisun 10.0
- AgroMax
All the fluorescent bulbs were 2 ft versions. I also put the data from the Sperti, the Mitolux, and the DIY build in for comparison. All measurements were taken at 12 inches.
Here is an interactive graph of the data: (disable the DIY lamp to see everything scale more)
You can see that the AgroMax is putting out some serious juice! Comparing it to the Sperti, it actually looks like the same spectrum, just way more power.
This makes sense since the AgroMax is a T5HO bulb, which is a much more recent fluorescent technology than the bulbs used in the Sperti.
At relative strengths, though, the AgroMax is still putting out more shorter wavelength UVB than the Sperti. This will make it likely more effective, but also perhaps a bit less safe as well.
The MitoLux lamp is an LED-based system, so you can see that this peaks at around 295nm, which is optimal for the production of vitamin D without any “unnecessary” UVA. This device also features a dynamic infrared cycle to help with healing and protection from the UV, pretty cool!
But anyway, the Arcadia 14% that I originally bought still seems to be a good option if you don’t mind the extra UVA present in this type of light.
Arcadia 14%
AgroMax
Grow Light Fixtures
The fixture I used in this project was a 4-foot 4-bulb version explicitly built for 54w fluorescent T5-HO bulbs. However, you can also get one-bulb or two-bulb versions if you want to try something less powerful.
You can also find a 2-foot version as well. Here are some to check out, but you might have to look on your own if these aren’t available, they’re all mostly the same thing.
4 Bulb 4-foot Fixture
4 Bulb 2-foot Fixture
It comes with four bulbs we won’t need, so you can recycle them. I’ve been unable to find a fixture without lights.
The Protective Screen
This setup’s possible downside is that it doesn’t have a protective grate, which is nice because fluorescent UVB bulbs utilize mercury. You don’t want to break these bulbs.
If you live alone and aren’t worried about anyone breaking it, you can always skip this part.
The best option I’ve been able to come up with is attaching a metal wire mesh to the front.
1/2 Inch Galvanized Welded Wire Mesh
This mesh is quite stiff and will work well to protect the lights.
Adhesive Zip Tie Mounts
You’ll need something like this to attach the mesh to the light fixture.
Building the Vitamin D Lamp
Okay, now let’s put it all together!
Preparing the Light Fixture
Here’s what you’ll need to do with the fixture.
- Remove the blue protective film from the reflective trays; this is pretty easy.
- Fit the trays into each other. They come a bit loose, but once you do, you’ll figure out how they fit together.
- Clean up any smudges.
Installing the Bulbs
Now, carefully pull the bulbs out and install them one by one. These are bi-pin lights, so the connectors on either side are installed vertically into the fixture.
You may have to push the light fixture connecter out on one end to get the light pins to fit into the slot.
Once it’s in the slot on both ends and is pushed down all the way, you can spin it to the right to lock the light into place.
Now repeat for all four lights!
Mounting it on the Wall
To mount the light on your wall of choice, you’ll want to start by installing a hook or screw of some kind into a stud at around 70″ off the floor.
Next, you’ll hang the light using one of the hooks it came with.
I also attached the bottom to the wall using a couple of 3M sticky pads.
Here’s what the finished product will look like:
Not bad!
Installing the Protective Grate
Now for the protective grate, should you want it…
You’ll need tin snips for this part!
Cut off a 49″-long section of the mesh and flatten it so it’s easier to work with.
Next, place the mesh against the panel and bend the top portion over. It’s pretty stiff and rigid mesh, so this isn’t the most effortless process.
Once you have the top done, you can move on to the sides.
The trick here is to bend the sides just a bit near the top so that you know where to bend it down.
Once you have a reference point, remove the mesh and bring it to a flat surface with an edge (like a table or counter). Using that edge, bend the mesh down on both sides. This way’s much easier than trying to do it on the lamp.
Once it’s all bent to shape, you can cut out the corner sections that aren’t needed.
And that’s about it! It’s a little bit of a pain, but once it’s done, it’s done.
Stick your zip tie mounts onto the light and start zipping the mesh into place!
UVB LED Options
Several studies have shown that UVB between 293-295nm is the most effective at triggering the production of Vitamin D. However, natural sunlight has almost no light in this frequency range, so I have concerns about trying to emulate this.
It’s not easy to find UVB LED products on the market just yet, but here are some of the options I’ve found so far:
MitoLux Vitamin D Lamp
Pros
Cons
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Chroma D-Light
It is by far the most expensive Vitamin D light on the market, but it is probably the most legitimate, safe, and effective way to get vitamin D.
The combination of red and Near-IR combined with narrowband 297nm UVB LEDs make this a powerhouse.
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How to Use Your Vitamin D Lamp
Okay, so it’s built and mounted, and you’re ready to stand naked in front of it.
But how far away? And for how long?
The Warm-up Period
When first turned on, the lamps aren’t evenly lit; they take a few minutes to warm up fully.
So, wait until they are uniformly lit to use the lamp.
How Far Away Should You Stand
I currently use my lamp at a distance of around 14-16 inches.
I’d start at two feet for safety.
How Long Should You Use the Light
How you react to ultraviolet radiation depends on your situation.
Getting my vitamin D from 23 ng/dL to 39.2 took about a month, and on average, I spent about 10 minutes per day in front of my lamp 5-6 days a week.
The time it takes to develop erythema will vary depending on your skin type, diet, genetics, and other factors.
For those who don’t know, erythema is just a reddening of the skin. If your skin is getting very red, you’ve been standing too close for too long.
It’s as simple as that.
Didn’t get red at all? Feel free to increase the time or stand a little closer. Only change one variable at a time so you know what is and isn’t working for you.
The Best Time for UV Exposure
The best time to use this would be in the middle of the day, preferably after some infrared exposure, as infrared is protective against UV damage.
For most, the best routine would be to use infrared light therapy in the morning, followed by a UV light session when they get home.
You don’t really want to expose your skin to UV first thing in the morning because it’s very unnatural. This might harm your skin and potentially cause problems with circadian timing and hormone rhythmicity.
Alright, that’s it!
Conclusion
I’ve personally used the Sperti, and I can confidently say that my DIY sun lamp feels much better.
It feels warm and powerful, like the sunlight. I’m so fond of standing underneath when I can.
Hopefully, this has inspired you to build your own!
Hi Derek! I made you vitamin D sun lamp and love it so far!! Thank you so much for posting this comprehensive article AND for creating this design – wow!!! I have a question about the ideal time to use the lamp. I know you mentioned that for most people, on a work day, the best time to use it is after they get home from work. Does that recommendation mainly apply to people who work a 9-5? I leave for work most days around 9:45am and then get back around 6:30 or 7pm. Would that be too late to use the lamp? Would it be better for me to use right before I leave for work, at around 9:30am – or would that be too early? I appreciate any tips you can offer!
You’re very welcome Anna! Hmmm that is a good question… I would say TRY using it first thing after getting home, and if that negatively impacts your sleep at all, switch to the morning instead.
Thanks for all the work you’ve put into this Derek – I’ve ordered my ballast and tubes!
Quick question – we have an infrared therapy light in the same walk in cupboard where the UV light is going to go. Would it be a good idea to put them both on at the same time, one for the front, one for the back?
Hey Roger, sure I don’t see why not! Better would be in the same location if you can manage it, and even better would be infrared then UV. But I think the cellular signaling that infrared provides alone would probably help with antioxidant status.
Thanks Derek – yes, the plan is to arrange them so one’s shining on the back of the body and the other on the front. 👍
That’s my setup as well. You can even add a vibration plate for more time efficiency 🙂
Thanks for this. I built this using the 10 Percent UVB repti bulbs. This not only increases my vitamin d levels, but it help with my psoriasis. Thanks for this tutorial.
I have just ordered some bulbs 😀
I wonder if you would have any idea of how long the Arcadia 14% bulbs would last if they were used for 10 mins a day?
I messaged the seller but they don’t have this sort of data as it’s not typical use. They can only guarantee UVB output for 1 year.
Thanks 😊
That’s a great question! Unfortunately I didn’t have my UV spectrometer when I first bought these so can’t do a direct comparison… However, the primary driver of reduced UV output is glass solarization and phosphor degradation, both of which are driven by usage time. So these should last much longer than one year!
Wanted to leave a note here to contribute to the shared knowledge. In search of the minimum viable setup I bought one of these bad boys: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CXJMRMP
I set it up alongside a 100W IR lamp. Overall it feels quite intense from 3 feet away, and being under it for about 10 mins gave me a moderately bad sunburn on my back (oops). I feel considerably more alert after using it, and the biggest issue with this approach seems to be that the light is very directional, and focused on a spot around 4 inches in diameter. I’ll try it out for another week or so then evaluate if I want to buy a used Sperti or make one of yours.
Thanks for the comment Mark! Yeah I’ve been meaning to try out some mercury vapor lamps, the biggest con here is probably the surface area like you said.
Hi Derek,
Thanks for all of your research! I made the lamp with the two 10%UVB bulbs. I can attest that the effects are quite similar to the Sperti, as I owned one temporarily. Most people would probably benefit from your rig.
For me, it might be just too much UVB. I may try the 5% bulbs and see what happens. I tolerate sunbathing well, but so far haven’t yet found a form of supplementation that doesn’t make me anxious. Not sure if adding in red light therapy would make a difference or not. I don’t expect you to have all of the answers, but if you have any suggestions, I’m all ears.
Take care!
Hey Tyler, I’ll be testing a bunch of UV lamps soon down to the 5% range and I’ll put all the data here to check out, so hopefully that will help.
I would think an infrared panel would help yes! Sunlight is naturally abundant in infrared A during peak UV hours and prior to that as well. Exposure to IR before and during a sessions should help to promote better blood flow, healing, and protection from UV damage.
As for which one… that’s not my wheelhouse really, but something that covers the same amount of space would be ideal.
Thanks for the prompt and thoughtful response, Derek! Looking forward to your findings.
Hi, and thank you for your guidance. I built a one-lamp, 4-foot Agromax setup that emits 75% UVB. Based on my calculations, it should provide the same UVB output as your original setup. Initially, I stood half a foot away for five minutes, but I ended up with burns. I then moved back to 1 foot and reduced the exposure time to 4 minutes. After a week, I decided to cut back my sessions from daily to every other day. I also started wearing a towel wrapped around my waist like a skirt, as the groin area has particularly sensitive skin.
I live in a coastal city, and the first few sessions gave me a sensation similar to coming back from the beach. It’s a warm and fuzzy feeling that I can’t quite describe.
However, I’m now slightly concerned about UVC light since Agromax bulbs are close to that part of the spectrum. Should I be worried about this? Additionally, are any of the inexpensive UVC testing cards reliable?
Hey there Radi0star,
So the AgroMax produces a lot more short wavelength light than the Arcadia’s, much closer to the Sperti’s spectrum, so it will certainly be more capable of burning but also much better at producing vitamin D. I would say 6″ is far too close for a 4 foot bulb. (obviously as indicated by your burn lol)
As for UVC, my spectrometer goes down to 230nm and I did not detect any except a small amount on the Reptisun 10.0, but this was minimal. There are cards for UVC testing from what I’ve gathered but it looks like they require much higher doses to work and may not be capable of detecting trace amounts.
Derek,
I am glad you, too, found the Agromax UBV bulbs safe. I’ve since got UVC detection cards that did not detect any UVC for this bulb. That said, they also did not detect any on the allegedly UVC HVAC bulb, but I suspect the HVAC bulb might be broken.
Either way, thank you again for your guidance, and I wish you a happy tanning.
Yes no UVC on my end! Thanks for reporting your findings as well 🙂
Hey Derek,
I bought the Arcadia Bulb you originally used for this project. I only bought one fluorescent bulb instead of four. How long do you recommend me exposing myself to this one bulb each day: 10 minutes, 20 minutes, or even 30 minutes? I really want to get my vitamin d levels up as I am located in Northern Illinois (barley any sun this time of year).
Hi Ahmad, hard to say for sure, as your melanin and skin type play a large factor.
I’d try 1 foot or so for 10 minutes and increase the duration to see when you hit erythema (skin reddening). That’s really the only way to know for sure where your optimal dosing may be.
I build the lamp just like yours and used the same arcardia bulb, but it doesn‘t feel warm at all? Even after 10 minutes warm up? Does it still work to produce vitamin D??
Hi Jennifer! So you built the 4 bulb 4 foot fixture? You should definitely feel some radiant heat coming off of that setup. But if not, that’s not really the purpose anyways. UV is not what produces heat.
I use the Derek setup and I feel a nice warm if I stay 10″-12″ from the lamp, if I stay at 20″ I don’t feel it. I usually stay at about 10″ for 10 minutes 3-4 time a week and I don’t get any “burn” just a progressive light nice tan.
Could you calculate the UV index using your spectrum measurements? Is there a calculator to estimate how much vitamin D you would generate with each lamp per minute?
I don’t think UV index is technically possible since the radiation patterns are very different to Sunlight itself… you could technically get a “UVI” from them using tools designed for that but I don’t think it would be technically accurate.
I’m not aware of a calculator… I’d love to try to make one at some point but there’s a lot to consider… Like spectral strength (SPD), distance, skin type, skin exposure, melanin, etc.
Hi Derek,
I’m clueless how to protect the eyes, but would love to set this diy up. What features should I look for? Do I need one specifically designed for tanning beds or the ones for red light therapy, or pulsed light therapy ( laser hair removal tools) ok? Amazon has so many options. Will the ones for 200nm to 2000 nm suffice? Is OD number important? Thank you!
Hi Su 🙂
Most anything will block UV, but if you’re looking for something specifically made for it, yes tanning bed glasses or the Sperti glasses I linked to in the article.
Hi,
what is your opinion on these :https://www.lighting.philips.com/prof/conventional-lamps-and-tubes/special-lamps/various-uv-applications/uv-b/uv-b-narrowband-tl/LP_CF_XUMCOL01_EU/family
Hi Herman! I’m sure they work well, although being the older T8 form factor won’t be as efficient to an equivalent T5HO. In either case I’ve yet to get my hands on some to test.
What’s your thoughts on using something like this:
https://www.amazon.es/-/en/gp/product/B003PGJ462/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=A2K9C8DG5UXUYR&psc=1
I was thinking of combining it as a middle bulb in an Infrared sauna configuration and having it on for the first 3-5mins.
I’m not sure… it says it’s an incandescent which is odd because they only emit small amounts of UVA. It would be need to be a mercury vapor lamp to emit any UVB.
Thank you so much for all of this information! Do you have any experience with/have you tried any of the Philips UVB-Narrowband Bulbs in your build, like the ones you can buy on the solarcsystems.com website? I’m fair skinned, so I’m trying to find a primarily UVB solution that is affordable. Thank you for all you do!
Good question Neely! I haven’t tried these yet! I’ll have to see if I can find an easy DIY way to test these in a setup.
Hi there,
Thanks for all this work, I ve found it very interesting .
There is another Vit D lamp the Enyrgy , go to https://www.enyrgy.com/products/uvb-light-therapy?oid=1&affid=6
This is by far the most expensive one around
Nice find George! I’ve not seen this, might try to get my hands on one to test out. Thank you.