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Re: Full-Spectrum Lighting (long)
Posted by Michael L on 6/23/05

On 6/23/05, Vince wrote:
> I purchased a light (tube style... not the compact) and a
> ballast. It is a Life-Glo (says it is good for birds,
> reptiles and fish). It has a High-Noon Spectrum, is this
> considered Full-Spectrum? It is the only brand I can find
> here. Do any of you know this brand, or would I be better
> to have another brand special ordered? I have not
> installed it yet.
>
> Also, how does the lighting work? Must the light be
> directly over the bird for the UV to be beneficial, or will
> the rays disperse throughout the room as the light does?
> (In other words, I have bird cages in the same room, must I
> have a light over each one?)
>
> I had also read on an Iguane neon that it is NOT FOR HUMAN
> USE. Is this because the rays are harmful to us? If so,
> does this hold true for the UV from any Full-Spectrum light?
>
> Also, how long must the light stay on per day to be
> beneficial to the birds? This question is asked for the
> welfare of the birds first and not for energy conserving
> reasons. I had heard that neons can drive some birds nuts
> because they flicker, and that they should be used
> sparingly. Does a compact light flicker also? If it is to
> be used for only a certain amount of time per day, must I
> adjust this time according to amount of time that my birds
> spend outside?
>
> Sorry for all the questions, its just after I read that an
> Iguana light can be dangerous for us, I got a bit freaked
> out. I have gotten my share of (sometimes conflicting)
> information, and I would like to add any of your imput to
> the mix to discuss with my new vet next week. The problem
> is my old Avian Vet, whom I had heard very good feedback
> on, who is termed highly respected, who I have had no
> personal problems with (yet) has completely lost my trust
> due to her conduct with another one of her clients.
> Basically hanging him out to dry when it came to crucial
> information regarding the administration of medication to
> his bird via syringue. (This man had never hand-fed a bird
> and was expected to take his bird right home and force feed
> mash/meds without instruction). I no longer have any use
> for her recommendations, without running them by another
> vet first. Sorry, I am just so mad! To think that I
> trusted this person with my birds' lives.
>
> Please excuse the ranting.

Vince,
I can't comment on the light that you purchased as I've never
heard of it, but that certainly doesn't mean that it wouldn't
be good for your birds.
I've included a link that might help lend a better
perspective to the lighting issue that you are asking.
I don't know where you live, but if you have a Home Depot or
Lowes in your area, you would be able to buy tube
(fluorescent) full spectrum lighting there. 48 inch tubes
run about $8 each.
GE maake a bulb called the Sunshine bulb, and Phillips makes
one, which is what I use, but the name escapes me now! Both
are good and provide the birds what they need.
The most effective way to benefit from these lights is to
have one directly over each cage. That is for maximum
benefit. But if you were to illuminate the room with only a
couple of fixtures, some benefit would be derived, just not
to the maximum.
The importance of proper lighting, as you know, cannot be
emphasized enough in order for birds to properly metabloize
calcium and maintain good health.
Check out the site. It may have the answers that you are
looking for?
Good luck.

Michael L


Birds and Lighting

Posts on this thread, including this one

• Full-Spectrum Lighting (long), 6/23/05, by Vince.
• Re: Full-Spectrum Lighting (long), 6/23/05, by Michael L.
• Re: Full-Spectrum Lighting (long), 6/23/05, by Vince.