JOEL! (et al)

[FeatherLover]

I just got lights for the birds:

• Extra long 5 Ft. power cord
• Pull chain switch
• Includes heavy-duty lamp grid
• 7 In. wide reflector
• Operates in cold weather down to 0° F
• Instant-on electronic ballast
• High-quality steel construction
• Uses 2-48 In. 32 Watt T8 fluorescent tubes (not included)
• Energy star approved
• Hardware and chain included
• Fixture Dimensions: 48 In. L x 7 In.W x 3-3/4 In.H

Please tell me this is good. And when you're done telling me what a great job I did on picking light fixtures, please tell me how far from the cage the light should be. How long should it be on. All that.

Thanks, all!

[jimpierce7]

That looks like a wonderfull fixture! As for me I replaced an exhisting fixture on my ceiling and hardwired the fixture in so it works off a light switch. I keep the light of during normal daylight hours. Less then 12 inches away from the top of the cage is optimum I do believe tho.

[cfulhage]

Appears to be the same fixture I bought from Joel himself, so he'll be praising you for sure! I've read conflicting info on how far the light needs to be from the top of the cage. I think the consensus is no further than 2 feet. The last info I read stated that this is nonsense, and that if we were in a cage how would we like a light glaring that close to our faces... However, Ollie's light is about 15 inches from the top of her cage, and it doesn't seem to bother her at all!

A suggestion, invest in a plug-in timer so the light will come on and shut off at the same time every day. Joel recommends this, and I've also read in a few other places of it being a good idea (for reasons other than you don't have to manually do it and risk forgetting, I just can't remember them).

Another conflicting bit of info is how long the light should be left on. After doing a bunch of reading from different places, I decided to go with about 9 hours for Ollie. I think it differs between species, so you'll just have to do a little reading and make a judgement call!

[poi_lover]

Where did you get it Megan? Has anyone been able to find a 3 foot fixture? My cages are right next to each other on one wall and I'm not sure if 2 four foot fixtures will work. Each cage is 3 foot wide.

[FeatherLover]

Originally Posted by cfulhage

A suggestion, invest in a plug-in timer so the light will come on and shut off at the same time every day.

Done.

It'll be a little while before I can hang the fixtures. We have a dropped ceiling in the bird room (who does that?), so I need to get brackets or something.

[Joel]

Originally Posted by poi_lover

Where did you get it Megan? Has anyone been able to find a 3 foot fixture? My cages are right next to each other on one wall and I'm not sure if 2 four foot fixtures will work. Each cage is 3 foot wide.

Donna....... As far as I know, a 3 ft. fixture like that is not made. There may be a 2 ft. and I think there is an 8 ft. but IMO I would get a four ft. (standard size) and since your cages are almost touching each other (right?), ya could light both cages with one fixture. In other words half of each cage approx. would be lit and ya could place a perch on the side of each cage (right under the light) so the bird can move to/right under it or away from it at will......Btw, I have 3 four foot long fixtures left (new in box), a lil different than the one just pictured in that they are 12 inches wide (deep may be more accurate) instead of 7 inches and this one (made by same company as the one pictured) does not have the wire grate as part of it's construction (not needed actually). This one has the pull chain on the end of the fixture instead of in the middle (easier therefore to get at rather than having to reach between the lights to grab the lil chain, if ya decide to turn on/off that way). Although like Camille reminded us, we should use a timer IMO.

Both fixtures use what I think is the best F.S. Light tube made for birds: Phillips F32T8TL950 (2 tubes). This bigger fixture is $5 more in cost than the smaller one so pm me if ya like me to ship ya one & for further details. You would have to purchase the tubes on your own though - locally or on line, Camille has the link I beleive.

Any fixture can be quite easily spray painted to give ya any color ya like to maybe match your cage and ya can stick pretty decals on them or stained glass etc........ They might still have that exact light pictured on sale so I would go that route if ya can. I did not purchase mine on sale so it would cost more thru me, plus the shipping...Good luck, great light though & IMO, the only way to go.


Way to go Meagan, now get that baby hung asap.

[cfulhage]

The place I bought my tubes from is now only selling them in bulk quantities.
Here is the link anyways, so you can see the specifics of the tubes. Maybe they will start selling them in smaller quantities again sometime in the future...

http://www.atlantalightbulbs.com/eca...LIPS&x=28&y=29

[Tiki]

For any Aussies reading this, our part number for the tube is slightly different to America. Bunnings can order them for you: Phillips 36W/950