all you knowledgable of full spectrum light

[jimpierce7]

I don't know if this is true of not but I have just read a couple things that may null and void full spectrum lights. DANGIT!!! As I didn't ask I won't just re post but a couple people used solarmeters (?) on the "best" full spectrum lights and found the UVB (the vitamin inducing part of the light ???) to be almost non existant. Lots of UVA (the color spectrum part of light) Which I guess is to say that Vit D (one of the reasons for the lighting) isnt happening....... ???????

[BirdsUnlimited]

While I do believe there are some benefits to full spectrum lighting, I don't believe vitamin D3 synthesis is one of them. I've not been able to get a single manufacturer of full spectrum lights to send me a report from an independant study that reflects any vitamin D3 intake. Read any issue of Bird Talk or Reptile magazine and they push these lights (many companies spend money on ads in the same mags). I want to see better bone density, thicker egg shells, higher blood calcium levels,... The manufacturers say that the birds seem healthier, breeding results are up, and so on, but I want some proof. I use them myself on some of my birds, I like the light better than normal fluorescents but are my birds better off, look healthier, I don't think so. My two cents is all. Ok Joel let's hear it.

[jimpierce7]

regular full spectrum lights have a great psychological value but only one type, Reptisun, actually puts out UVB and the critter has to be 12" or closer.

[Joel]

Jim........I would like to read that myself, is it possible for you to post a link to what you read or scan it into here? There is a bunch of conflicting info. out there I agree but bottom line is proper F.S. Lighting can't hurt, can it, if used properly? Nothing I have read says so & by using it myself I have noticed no ill effects at all. So I would go with the studies that says it is benefical in numerous ways. Suit yourself is all I can say.......How old were the fluorescent linear tubes they tested? Was the solarmeter calibrated properly? Etc.....?

B.U.........So what is the specs and name brand of the linear fluorescents you are using? How long have you been using them (?), for how many hrs. each day (?), what distance from the top of cage (?), in a fixture with electronic or magnetic ballast? What is the Kelvin rating (?).....Did you send a certified letter to Phillips asking them for answers/studies relating to your questions? May I see a copy of such letter? Thanks......

Originally Posted by jimpierce7

I don't know if this is true of not but I have just read a couple things that may null and void full spectrum lights. DANGIT!!! As I didn't ask I won't just re post but a couple people used solarmeters (?) on the "best" full spectrum lights and found the UVB (the vitamin inducing part of the light ???) to be almost non existant. Lots of UVA (the color spectrum part of light) Which I guess is to say that Vit D (one of the reasons for the lighting) isnt happening....... ???????

[jimpierce7]

http://www.healthresearchforum.org.u...ghtrobbery.pdf


the above link is one place I was reading, and below is one place the idea got started. I didn't go looking for this info it just came accross my table from other groups I subscribe to.


New information I learned recently ;



I have done a great deal of research especially having a Bearded Dragon reptile and so I joined UVB_Meter_Owners and was able to as a group get myself



a Solarmeter 6.4 http://reptileuv.tripod.com/uvmeter6.2.htm



I was so shocked to find out that most so called full spectrum lights give off vertually NO UVB ( this UV "b" is the one wavelength needed for vit D3 synthesis to help in calcium absorbtion )....When my meter was put right next to one of the 4 of my very expensive well known companies floor lights .... the light ( almost touching!) it registered with my meter a miserable 2 ! and this was only when I was 1 inch away from the light!!!



So called "full spectrum" is really just a marketing term... The birds will like having the light because it does give off UV "A" ( the appetite inducing feel good rays!) ..but "ANY" good bright white light will give off UVA rays ( at a fraction of the cost of "full spectrums")...Full spectrums give you all the colors so the light is true....which is why you see it sold in art stores and crafts stores.

If you want it for getting vit D3 then you would be wasting your money ....The good news is that birds unlike herps can indeed get vit D3 by foods (aka suppliments) ....I know someone who brings her birds out side for their "vitamins" in their sleeping cages for an hour in the sun a few times a week.



You also must be careful if the birds will never be having any access to the outdoor light and be sure and give them D3 by feeding it in supplements. I personally don't feed pellets ( I don’t like the “splits� that can cause problems ) and feed a diet of mash ( recipe on , www.birdsense .com) ,fresh veggies/fruits/fresh lots of fresh sprouts/nuts/ and lots of real sunshine for getting vitamin D3. REMEMBER True full spectrum lights will actually give you a tan!...that doesn't happen with the " Full Spectrum" lights sold in Parrot stores and craft stores or other places for lighting being sold for birds marketed as "full spectrum".... they are really just not what they say they are ...... and they sure don't expect most customers to actually have a state of the art ...Solarmeter to check for UVB rays!







Here is a website be sure to click on where it says lighting , The Reptisun 5.0 actually is one of the few that really does what it says ( how the heck you mount it near a cage is a challenge !) ..as I said I also have a reptile and lighting with UVB is extremely important to mine because he cannot get vit D3 from foods hardly at all like our birds can.... but remember if we want to feed our birds fresh foods then we have to resort to ( ugh!) pellets or supplements IF that is they will never be exposed to outside true sunlight or a Reptisun light.



http://www.finchinfo.com/housing.htm



No UVB can penetrate glass or plastic ( except the extremely expensive plastic made especially to allow UVB to penetrate , like used in tanning salons ) …and remember if you are going to use a light sourse like Reptisun 5.0 , that the UVB’s are emitted only for approximately 6 months, … so to be safe write the date down and replace the bulb after 6 months even though you will STILL be getting lots of bright light ( which is what gets confusing and tricky ) for a long time ( use it for something else ..like your plants! ) …remember unless you have a UVmeter to test your bulbs decay accurately … get a new one after about 6 months (more or less) to be safe!







Full spectrum isn't exactly what you're looking for, but rather a

particular spectrum. For those of us who are lucky enough to have many different types of animals ... with this we get to lots of information we otherwise might never learn. For many reptiles like bearded dragons , Iggys and most high UVB requirement herps (aka reptiles) , the Reptisun 5.0, Exoterra 8.0, or Iguanalight 5.0 bulbs are good. Most of the compact "coil" bulbs have been a disappointment and degrade rapidly emitting next to no UVB's in no time at all.



Well this website and the disclaimer in it says it all for us doesn't it ?

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



I mean if we were not using the expensive so called "Full Spectrum" for therapeutic UVB reasons than why in the world were we going to use it huh ?



>"General illumination full spectrum lamps are more appropriate in areas which receive a >substantial amount of ambient daylight. They provide a good and economical solution >to large scale aviary lighting, as well as the ability to function in a wide variety of >fixtures. General full spectrums produce little or no usable UVB, and therefore should >not be used where ultraviolet light is a therapeutic need. "





Note: UVB 1 is UVB +D and UVB 2 is UVB - D , but you don't need to worry about that ...it gets too complicated ...sheesh it is complicated enough



???????????????????????????????????

[Joel]

Jim.......So where exactly are the results of the tests of your "solarmeter" or a "solarmeter" on the linear true Full Spectrum lights in all that info. you provided? From what I have read so far (no time right now to get into it too deeply) that a-fore-mentioned solarmeter showed there is little UVB in REPTILE LIGHTS which are different from true F.S. bird lights. Incandescent/screw-ins are not true fluorescent F.S. lights from all that I have read...

So this "floor light" that you tested: Was it a linear fluorescent? What was the CRI (?) the K rating (?) Wattage (?), what type of ballast was being used (?)

Are all the lil paragraphs you showed yours or did you quote them from someone else? I just ask to be sure, so I know who I am talking to?

Info. from my notes & paperwork here: D3 is a hormone necessary in order for the digestive tract to be able to extract calcium from the diet, correct. Without sufficient amounts of D3 (the research shows) even large doses of calcium supplementation will not be a benefit. And by giving these supplements orally or by injection we then run the risk of too much calcium (hypercalcemia) in the system, in the tissues, heart, bones, kidneys, etc....So the correct level is very hard to artificially regulate. One of the greatest benefits of proper F.S. Lighting is the NATURAL synthesis of Vitamin D precursors (calciferol & cholecalciferol) which will allow the bird to NATURALLY regulate calcium uptake (again according to the research). Of course our birds must also have a good diet.....

Research has also showed that proper F.S. Lighting has a great effect on the glandular system. The Thyroid, Pineal & the Hypothalamus Glands control many of the most important functions in our bird's systems & normal photo periods of F.S. Light is needed to stimulate these glands into doing their respective jobs. Too little calcium can cause seizures, heart disorders, elevated blood cholesterol, soft shelled eggs, bone disorders, nervousness & tetany. If above mentioned glands are not functioning properly other conditions may present themselves such as poor feathering, skin disorders, triggers for reproduction are not set properly, preening is off, bird can become lethargic etc......So many people on our board here are having problems of different varieties with their birds. I suggest to each of them who do not regularly expose their flock members to outdoor direct sunlight: Get some proper F.S. Lighting, spend a few bucks, try it for yourself. Worse case scenario = you throw away about $60 (big deal).

So in summation for now, I personally will choose to go with the studies and research that says proper indoor F.S. Lighting is the next best thing to natural outdoor direct sunlight. For those who doubt the research on this subject, whether done independently or by the manufacturers themselves and thus choose to keep their pennies in their pockets rather than spending it on an ATTEMPT to provide the best they can for their flock members, I wish you and your feathered buddies the best of luck and health. Keeping your birds in the "dark" so to speak or in improper lighting is just not logical to me......

[BirdsUnlimited]

Joel, relax man I just know you're the guy everyone turns to about this topic. I'm not picking on you. Certified letter? Phillips, Ott light and Duratest have all told me they were not aware of any studies done that shows raised calcium levels. I came right out and said that there are benefits to useing this lighting. This was not a personal attack at you. I'll just add you to the list of people who don't like me on this board.

[Joel]

Sorry B.U. ...... I have no reason not to like you. I hope you remove my handle from your list. I was just trying to get at some facts & info. that you might have.....Maybe I could have done it in a more sensitive way. Sorry, I'm not noted for my sensitivity at times......If I knew whether you were a guy or gal, I would offer a handshake or a hug..... :)

[jimpierce7]

I may have been misunderstood Joel but it wasn't MY study. As I said it is simply information that has come to me via another group. Here is another link....

http://users.mikrotec.com/~pthrush/lighting/uvmyth.html

Being as I live in an area that has limited sunshine I myself have found the addition of my "full spectrum" lights to be great for my mood. Zoey is even more perky then she usually is. Only pre existing knowledge I had about any kind of "sun" lights came from tanning booths..........if it won't burn you, it isn't sunlight......and its been a looooooong time since I worried about a tan!
As for the link above............I really like the referance it makes at the beginning as I relate to the kind of people it is talking about...doin it easy 20 years and countin!

[jimpierce7]

oh yeah..........I believe the bulbs that I use came from a link I got for you! Love em.

http://www.atlantalightbulbs.com/ecart/10Browse.asp