Full Spectrum Lighting?

[baron1282]

This is what I got for my bird. I got two bulbs, so do you think this would work? I got this today. I will be installing this to his cage on Monday. I was looking at Bird lighting but it almost all looked cheaply made. I can take this back if need be. According to the bulbs this puts out no heat!

I also got a timer so he can get a full lighting schedule. Should it be 12 hours of day and 12 hours of night? Thanks everyone!

 

[MonicaMc]

Baron, your google email account is private... we can't view the images. Can you upload them to the forum instead?

 

[baron1282]

Sorry!!! I didn't know it was not allowing you to see the pictures!!

 

[MonicaMc]

Can see those!

Lights for reptiles typically are not the same as lights for birds. Many reptiles are often down low on the ground where-as many parrots are up high in the canopy.


Lights should be 5,000-5,500 Kelvin and have a CRI rating of 93 or higher. A CRI rating of 98 is best. And the light to be 290 & 310 nanometers in wavelength.

 

[baron1282]

The light has 98 CRI and 6700 kelvin. I got two bulbs for the one lamp.

Ideal spectrum for all reptiles and amphibians.

• Stimulates plant growth
• High visual light output
• Stimulates appetite, activity and reproductive behavior through UVA radiation
• High Color Rendering Index of 98 (CRI)
• 6700 Kelvin Color temperature
• Recommended in combination with Repti Glo 5.0 or Repti Glo 10.0

Back of box.

 

[weco]

Baron, if you have not opened those light bulbs, you might want to search the forum's archives & read the several threads on full spectrum lighting that have been posted since the first of the year.....you may be just wasting your $$$.....

 

[baron1282]

@Weco

Thanks, I did not open any of the bulbs. That is why I posted here before I opened them. Gives me time to take them back and get another bulb.

The lamp itself is awesome and I can put any bulb in it. Regardless of it being a reptile lamp it can take any bulb I wish up to 100W. Plus I can hang the lamp from my ceiling easily to allow the light to shine down on my cage.

I can put this bulb in it.

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Avian-Sun-Bulb/dp/B000KH9S88/]Amazon.com: Zoo Med Avian Sun 5.0 UVB Bulb: Pet Supplies[/ame]

Would two of them work? I can put one of the bulbs I bought and one of the full sun.

I also have read on the forms here that some bulbs for birds are really just reptile bulbs re-branded because they are essentially the same thing. No matter how much I have researched bulb or lighting there is no "USE THIS". It all seems speculative at best.

I can go out and buy a reptile bulb that has the same specs as a bird bulb. The bulb I did buy has the same specs as some of the bulbs I found for birds. So it's just ever confusing.

 

[weco]

It's not so much specs as whether you are actually getting what you think you are.....if you are reading...and believing...manufacturer's and/or vendor's advertising, you are doing yourself and your birds a real disservice.....

You do understand that there are no true full spectrum light bulbs/tubes and that the small screw-in fluorescent bulbs we are moving to cannot provide the actual lighting factor the various packages claim.....it's just not possible, given the size of the coated tubes that are & amount of phosphors required.....the term 'full spectrum' is a marketing term and in no way reflective of any light's (whatever kind) capabilities.....

Understanding what you are not getting when buying into this 'full spectrum' artificial lighting concept, you have to have a somewhat decent understanding of light & light generation by artificial means.....just trying to save you some $$$, but then of course, we are a society of advertising junkies & often run right out and get the newest of the perceived best we're told we need.....

Good luck.....

 

[baron1282]

Great, now offer me a something to buy.

All you do is insult and tell me whats wrong with our generation. Instead of telling me this is the light I bought and it works great!

Of course you get the people that say! Well only the "SUN" is the best source of lighting for our bird.

I say to them "No, Really?" Because I know that the Sun is the best source of lighting. But what about the winter time when it's too cold to go outside and when I am not home and I am at work. What can I use in between to help out, not fully supplement.

Some people here like to feel above other owners, and that's fine. Go ahead and be that way, but if you offer NO help and offer no product that is useful than just don't say anything. Not everyone can be with their bird 24/7 some have jobs, but still want a bird and to give one a great home. I fall into that catagory. I love my bird and I miss him every time I am not home, but I got obligations.

To some people you shouldn't own anything unless you have no job and no life but to devote your self to your pet. That is not possible, but what is possible is to provide the best life and enrichment you can for your pets.

Again if you can not offer any help but criticizing and tell me how this generation sucks, than please just don't offer your assistance because it's not apprciated.

 

[weco]

Baron, I'm very sorry if you think I insulted you, but there are a lot of things sold as being good for pets, but are dangerous for them, even deadly to some animals, yet there are companies that are more interested in selling product and making money than what happens to the animals.....and.....my sole intention was to advise you that what you may have read about full spectrum lighting was very probably wrong, because there really is no truth in advertising.....

I went back and reread my posts, but cannot see where I criticized anything you purchased and since there are no manufacturers currently making what you think you are really buying, I could not offer you anything as a substitute.....in fact, I did not even look at the products you purchased.....didn't need to, because there are no alternatives.....

I'm sorry that you interpreted my use of 'society' as meaning a reference to 'your' generation.....while a society can encompass a number of generations or a group of people, I really had no specification of any age group in my posting.....

Baron, I've got some 1,700+ postings on these forums and you are most welcome to point out to me, any of them where I appeared to hold myself above anyone else, I don't believe I have.....

We have members here who care for their birds in Alaska, Sweden, Finland, Russia and other frozen winter lands and their birds do quite well, even from originating in tropical climes.....while there have been some small studies on how much exposure to the sun our birds need, there has not been any definitive information published on that subject.....everything we read on that topic is completely hypothetical, so I try not to offer hypothetical information, but if I believe information being offered is wrong, I am not afraid to offer contravening information, along with supporting data, so that the individual has additional information to base their decision on.....as an example, you can walk into most any pet store that has a bird department and find a little can designed to be a mite repellent...it does repel mites, but that same mite repellent is deadly to birds and if you have a sensitive bird, you very well could kill that bird, but hey, I told you not to buy that can, so I'm knocking your generation for having bought it and if I don't offer an alternative, I'm further an ogre for not doing so, even though the reals alternative/solution is to determine the cause of the infestation and correct the problem, rather than put a band-aid on a cut without first washing it and applying an antiseptic.....

Sorry you felt put upon by my posts.....


Baron, the only person I don't think should have a bird or other pet is the person who abuses the animal or the one who forgets/ignores the animal.....anyone else who shows a desire to learn about & properly care for an animal, I would offer whatever support I might be able to.....

 

[baron1282]

@Weco

You got to understand, I read your other post first on my "compatibility" thread. If you look you imply that I all want is a display bird. Which did get me upset as if that's all I wanted I wouldn't be here on this website.

I wrote that response to this thread after I wrote my response to the other. I asked why and all I got is "my bulbs are no good" maybe. When in fact the answer you just gave me was more informative and now I know why no bulbs or lights are really that great or do what they are suppose to be.

So being that no one really can say which is good or not than it's really trial and error at this point. I trust this site more than I trust people that work at the pet store, but that person was using this light and swears her bird is better off for it with brighter feathers and just plan healthier looking. So I will use this lighting and see what happens.

Besides I am working on a reptile aquarium so I did not waste my money. If the light does not work than I have the first piece of equipment for my bearded dragon tank.

So we got off on the wrong foot, but lets put it behind us and focus on whats important. The care and health of our pet birds.

 

[kellie]

Hey Baron- You're already braver than me for buying them because I've been sitting around thinking about buying one for months now but am too scared because of the mixed reviews. However, I get what you're saying- being outside and in direct sunlight is not always possible or what's best for the bird. Example: I live in arizona where its 120 degrees outside on a regular basis and right by a major road. Tons of fumes, too hot, loud, scary for Lukah, etc. I don't know much about full spectrum, but if anyone does have full spectrum lighting, I'm sure Baron and I would both appreciate your input!

 

[weco]

OK, I can accept that, but understand that while Jack Hannah may well use those or similar brand cages, they are more than likely comp cages or that company has sponsored part of Jack's various programming, be that as it may, those types of cages are usually purchased for vanity displays, not practicality, hence my commentary.....as Mayden pointed out there can be a ventilation problem with cages that have closed sides...when you see those types of cages installed in banks, there is usually a secondary ventilation system blowing air through the cages and close mounted lighting creates additional heat...although the fine print does not disclose these ancillary requirements.....

While I'm not into herps, though a decided number of the membership here is, you would be well read to check out the information on this site: UV Guide UK - Ultraviolet Light for Reptiles - UVB reptile lighting on test it is run by a retired UK veterinarian and I doubt that you will find better information elsewhere.....

In your learning curve with companion birds, you probably will not find a more argued topic than bird lighting systems/products and even a page of text does not provide a suitable explanation...for either side of the debate, hence my suggestion that you read through the threads posted on the topic since the first of the year.....the topic pops up rather often and when most people are more interested in being told what to buy than learning the reasoning why something is good/bad, right or wrong, it gets tiresome trying to explain why I might prefer a Chevrolet over a Ford.....

Anyway, good luck on your project.....

 

[baron1282]

Thanks. Keep in mind that I can make the cage anyway I want, if I want I can have it stainless steel wire all around. They also have vents I could put where I need them. Another person already commented on how wonderful they are in my other thread. I also read all the reviews on the cage from other people besides Jack Hanna and they love their cage. Practically seems to be more so than the cage I have now. Plus it helps from prying fingers into his cage.

Thanks for the website, I am looking at it now.

 

[MonicaMc]

If the Kelvin is above 5500, then I would say that the bulb is inappropriate for birds.

 

[baron1282]

FULL SPECTRUM LIGHTING

Just a thought.

 

[kellie]

Baron- my friend works at a pet shop and talked with the vets today (because I had a panic with Lukah) and the vet recommended full spectrum lighting if I don't already have it. She is bringing back a bulb today when she gets back from work.

The vet there is not an avian vet but works with birds. I am taking Lukah to an avian vet hopefully later this week and am going to ask them about it and will let you know what they say.

That being said- a lot of the people who say "oh no don't use it it's bad" I find, don't seem to have ever used it and are just taking a side in the great internet debate over it. But I have read a lot of stuff on people who have and are using it and have done so for a long time and their reviews are typically always positive (I don't think I've seen a negative one yet). They always praise it and say it helps their bird's coloring, activity level, aggression and overall health. So I think it is probably fine. I'm going to try it, anyway. But I will talk with the vet about it too and let you know what they say

 

[Echo]

I built a bird room for my birds. It is a 4 season-room built with parrots in mind. 3 walls have the biggest windows and sliders (to outdoor aviary) we could find, and we put in 2 of the biggest skylights available. I can open them and the birds get direct sun if they wish too. They get plenty of daylight through the windows, however UV light doesn't penetrate windows, only the heat....which is why I put in a split pack (A/C-heat so that the room temp is just so), and because of that I also have a humidifier, along with a Rabbit Air system. I'm saying that you can try and offer the best you can, but the real thing is always best.

Yes, outdoors is better. However, we don't all leave in Hawaii. So when the weather doesn't allow outdoor sunshine, depending where you live, it can be dark most of the year, no matter what room your birds are housed in. Your bird will get depressed the same way we do, its feathers will suffer, and they absolutely would benefit from full spectrum lighting. That's better than regular lighting and way better than darkness all day long.

I use it in the winter, and see a difference in my birds when I don't use it. I would buy the Avian Bulb only.....

 

[kellie]

I will definitely be bringing Lukah outside as much as possible once it cools down here. I think he would like being outdoors anyway! But right now he would just overheat if left outside for any prolonged period of time... it's 110 degrees even at night! I start breaking a sweat when I walk outside! But during the winter it will be around 70 degrees which is much better for him. But thanks Echo! That helps me solidify my decision. Funny though because for me it is in the summer that he's going to need it. In the winter the weather is perfect! haha

 

[Echo]

@kellie. I don't bring my birds out when it's hotter than 85 degrees F. Here it's super humid but still way too hot above 85. The humidity makes it feel hotter too. When they are outside, I spray them often and they have plenty of water to bathe in if they need.
I agree that in AZ the summers are way too hot and dry for your bird....