Question about Full Spectrum Lighting

[cliftonite]

Is a 24" F.S. light with a CRI of 98 enough? The Lumichrome 1XX series seem to have the best specs possible for a FS light. The specs are 6500°K CRI 98 and 18 watts for the 24" light. Would the 24" be enough for a grey? Or should I get the 48 inch @ 32 watts? I would like to use the 24 inch as her cage is 32" wide and it would fit perfectly on top on it. Is there anything specific I should look for in a light fixture? Or would any T8 electronic ballast do? Thanks guys.

[Joel]

Hey Cliftonite.........I think that light set-up will be just great. A 98 CRI rating is the best ya can get from what I have learned and 24" should be just fine, if I remember correctly, for one Grey in her own cage. The electronic ballast is needed as ya know already and I would just make sure I bought a light fixture with a downward reflector to capture much of the light to direct downwards. Btw, such a fixture can be ordered thru H.D.'s on line store for about $30, may even be on sale still?...... I beleive the 6500 # is about right also....... Of course make sure the Grey cannot reach the fixture, tubes, or electrical cords etc.......I applaud your effort in researching the subject out and in making a fine choice for your feathered buddy.....

Originally Posted by cliftonite

Is a 24" F.S. light with a CRI of 98 enough? The Lumichrome 1XX series seem to have the best specs possible for a FS light. The specs are 6500°K CRI 98 and 18 watts for the 24" light. Would the 24" be enough for a grey? Or should I get the 48 inch @ 32 watts? I would like to use the 24 inch as her cage is 32" wide and it would fit perfectly on top on it. Is there anything specific I should look for in a light fixture? Or would any T8 electronic ballast do? Thanks guys.

[Skyebirdsmom]

Originally Posted by cliftonite

Is a 24" F.S. light with a CRI of 98 enough? The Lumichrome 1XX series seem to have the best specs possible for a FS light. The specs are 6500°K CRI 98 and 18 watts for the 24" light. Would the 24" be enough for a grey? Or should I get the 48 inch @ 32 watts? I would like to use the 24 inch as her cage is 32" wide and it would fit perfectly on top on it. Is there anything specific I should look for in a light fixture? Or would any T8 electronic ballast do? Thanks guys.

I wouldn't go for a 48" as it's too big, a 24" is enough for your bird :)
Linda & Skye~

[cliftonite]

Originally Posted by Joel

Hey Cliftonite.........I think that light set-up will be just great. A 98 CRI rating is the best ya can get from what I have learned and 24" should be just fine, if I remember correctly, for one Grey in her own cage. The electronic ballast is needed as ya know already and I would just make sure I bought a light fixture with a downward reflector to capture much of the light to direct downwards. Btw, such a fixture can be ordered thru H.D.'s on line store for about $30, may even be on sale still?...... I beleive the 6500 # is about right also....... Of course make sure the Grey cannot reach the fixture, tubes, or electrical cords etc.......I applaud your effort in researching the subject out and in making a fine choice for your feathered buddy.....

HD doesnt carry any 24" T8 fixtures :( They carry a 20 watt T12 but the guy said that the T8 bulb would not work in there. I also asked him if I got a 20 watt T8 fixture, would the 18 watt bulb work and he said that it would not. So lost :( Maybe I should just get the Phillips Tl950 36"

[Joel]

Sorry Cliftonite........ I didn't word my earlier response to you clearly enough maybe. When I said you can order "such a fixture" at H.D., I did not mean 24".....I would not know about those as I have only orderd the 48" ones from H.D. myself.......... = Get another bird and another cage (lol) and put them next to each other, then the 48" light fixture can service both birds...... ....

[cliftonite]

Originally Posted by Joel

Sorry Cliftonite........ I didn't word my earlier response to you clearly enough maybe. When I said you can order "such a fixture" at H.D., I did not mean 24".....I would not know about those as I have only orderd the 48" ones from H.D. myself.......... = Get another bird and another cage (lol) and put them next to each other, then the 48" light fixture can service both birds...... ....

Looks like even the 36" light fixtures are hard to come by (atleast the ones with the downward reflectors) I may just get the 48" light/fixture.

[cliftonite]

Hmm i just got a 48" fixture and it has no cord I dont even see a place where the cord goes? Anyone know how I can install this?

[cliftonite]

Ok I took it apart and the wires are inside by the ballast. It has a white and a black wire. Now how can I go about making a plug for it? Can i take apart a regular plug (say an extension cord) and connect the wires?

[felisdomesticus]

who needs full-spectrum lighting? if your bird doesn't spend much time outside (at least during the winter) do you need to have such a setup?

Scarlett's cage gets light from 2 windows that she is sandwiched between. It isn't direct light as she is on the south side but she does get quite a lot of light each day.

Is that enough?

[cliftonite]

Originally Posted by felisdomesticus

who needs full-spectrum lighting? if your bird doesn't spend much time outside (at least during the winter) do you need to have such a setup?

Scarlett's cage gets light from 2 windows that she is sandwiched between. It isn't direct light as she is on the south side but she does get quite a lot of light each day.

Is that enough?

If your windows are manufactured in the last 25 to 30 (or more?) years then they filter out the useful part of the light that the birds need. Here are some links that discuss the need for a full spectrum lamps:

http://www.thebirdbrain.com/html/lighting.cfm

http://business.fortunecity.com/johns/139/index5.html

http://www.users.mis.net/~pthrush/lighting/index2.html