Full Spectrum Lighting?

[kellie]

@Echo- definitely! he would probably be panting and scratching up a storm if I brought him out. I bring him out sometimes for a couple minutes or so, but even that heats him up so then I bring him back in quick. I think he will love the uvb light

 

[baron1282]

I took back the reptile lights. I am going to order something that at least says for birds.

Again it's so hard to figure out what really works. One article says that anything lower than 6500k will not benefit the bird, and some say don't use repitle lights at all even though the bulbs I bought are full spectrum lighting and have the same specs as some of the bird bulbs. So who knows! LoL All I know is that my bird needs something because I live in a basement. We do take the bird outside but it's not cutting it. He needs a brighter area and something better while we are at work or away.

 

[kellie]

So my roommate got me a UVB bulb at 15 watts. I looked it up and it says UVB helps them to process vitamin A. However, the bulb is for reptiles... but she talked with the vet and head of her store and they said it actually doesn't really matter if it's for reptiles or birds, they all work the same, it's just a gimmick.

 

[baron1282]

That's what I thought!

 

[kellie]

Granted, their vets aren't avian vets, but stilll.
Here's the update on Lukah- I plugged in the light (it is above his cage, about 18" away from his top perch and 14" away from the top of the cage) and it is a reptile uvb 150, 13 watt, desert uvb made by exoterra. After plugging it in and turning it on, Lukah instantly took notice of it, fluffed up, and made his way to the top of the cage. He has been quiet since I turned it on and seems to like it... which is weird because I didn't think he would really notice it or react to it or anything.

All that being said, I am probably going to get him a different bulb eventually... one that has UVB and UVA because I found out online that birds can't see in color unless they are getting UVA light as welll... and that makes me sad!

 

[kellie]

Actually I just checked the package his bulb came in and it says at 16 inches it provides 90 cubic watts/cm squared of UVA and 15 cubic watts/ cm squared of UVB. Soooo. Whatever that means hahaha but I'm taking it as he probably reacted positively to it because all the sudden he can see in color!

 

[baron1282]

That's good to hear!

I am going to take back the lamp I bought and buy a cheaper metal lamp. I thought the lamp was cool but I can spend 10 dollars and get a metal lamp that would be just as good.

The bulb is the most important part of the setup. Look at the bulb I bought on page one and see if that's the one you got?

 

[kellie]

Nope! This is mine. But I'm taking it back and getting one that isn't for desert animals today!

Exo Terra Reptile UVB 150 Terrarium Lamp 13 watt - Reptile Bulbs

This one provides probably too much uv

 

[baron1282]

yeah, I do know you don't want anything that gives off a lot of heat. At least I know that.

 

[Pajarita]

There are two problems with reptile lights:

1. Specs: they usually only provide UVB light, some also have UVA but are not full-spectrum and their K-temp is wrong

2. Safety: reptiles have different eyes than birds (they have a yellow oil that protects their eyes from strong UV light while the avian eye doesn't have it)

So, although it is safe to use UBA/UVB lights usually meant for reptiles in a birdroom, they should never be used in a lamp or at the recommended distance but in a ceiling fixture.

Monica is correct that any light with a KTemp higher than 5500 is not recommended for birds as the higher the Ktemp, the bluer the light will be and it has an effect on their breeding conditioning, which works out fine for breeders but not for owners.

I use two sources in my birdroom (both are in ceiling fixtures smack in the middle of the room where there are no cages, no platforms or even perches):

a) two are the full spectrum tubes in a shop light fixture ([ame=http://www.amazon.com/Full-Spectrum-Fluorescent-Lamps-PHILIPS-950/dp/B0009INXIO/ref=sr_1_21?s=lamps-light&ie=UTF8&qid=1377453741&sr=1-21]Amazon.com: Full Spectrum Fluorescent Lamps-PHILIPS TL 950 - T8 (98 CRI, 5000 K, 48", 32 Watt, T8 - Case of 25): Lamps & Light Fixtures[/ame])

b) the third, in a fixture of its own but next to the shop light, is the UVA, UVB light (Amazon.com: Zoo Med ReptiSun® 10.0 High Output UVB Fluorescent Bulb, 15 Watts, 18-Inch: Pet Supplies)

Hope this was of help to you.

 

[baron1282]

You tell us that reptile lights are a BIG NO GO and yet you recommend one?

 

[baron1282]

Would this work?

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Full-Spectrum-Light-Bulb-Fluorescent/dp/B0018OS06S/ref=pd_sim_sbs_hg_3]Amazon.com: Full Spectrum Light Bulb - ALZO 27W Compact Fluorescent - Case of 4 - Daylight Balanced 5500K - Pure White Light: Office Products[/ame]

 

[baron1282]

Would this be a good bulb?? It's a little over 5500k like 5800k.

 

[JerseyWendy]

I personally use THESE Shop SYLVANIA 2-Pack 23-Watt (100W) Spiral Medium Base Daylight (6500K) CFL Bulbs at Lowes.com=

NEVER had a problem with them at all.

 

[kellie]

Would this be a good bulb?? It's a little over 5500k like 5800k.

I don't really know, but I would think get one that specifically says full spectrum or UVA/UVB.. I know some "daylight" bulbs are just a certain color of light that they think is like daylight but don't actually give off UVB or anything

 

[baron1282]

Thanks!! The only reason I asked is because the bulbs have no UVB rating on it. Plus it did not say full spectrum. So was wondering if that is something that is implied from them kind of bulbs?

 

[MikeyTN]

This question been asked countless times throughout the years as you can find the answers posted within the forums by a simple search. Due to a study I've read awhile back that full spectrum lighting is a waste of money. For me who have done saltwater reef tank on the past, the only way for me to copy as close to the sun light as possible I had to use high powered lighting such as metal halides (in which a lot of plant growers user indoors), power compaq, T-5, VHO, and the newer Led systems, etc. They're more expensive to maintain and can be quite costly to change light bulbs within a 9 month period or less depending on usage. Plus the major heat issues they cause. Your best bet is to use natural sun light as that's your best light source.

 

[baron1282]

MikeyTN

A simple search does bring up a lot of past threads on this subject, but it's the same as this thread is becoming! No one knows!!

Of course the SUN is the best for our birds! But do you take your bird out when it's freezing, When it's extremely hot? So what to do in between as a supplement?

I hate that answer "Use the SUN" because that's a captain obvious answer. It does not address the issue. The issue is what's a good supplement for the people that are living in area's that has a hard winter or an extreme summer?

 

[MikeyTN]

Like I've explained within my post, inorder to simulate the sun light you need a bit more expensive equipment to run, maintain, and replace. But then you run into a problem with heat and it blinds you to look into it. If your birds fly into it they will be hurt badly as the bulb burns super hot. The regular bulbs where they list them as full spectrum bulbs doesn't do anything what so ever as they were being tested by some top avian specialist/vets. They don't do a single thing. If you have harsh winter then bring the bird near the window to get some light that way. Otherwise just provide some lighting to suffice until spring. They would be fine for the winter months.

 

[MikeyTN]

Also I do understand the harsh winter month period as I used to live in South Dakota. But where my bird room faces the South where it gets plenty of sun light exposure. My birds did fine!