Full Spectrum Experts Wanted

[GizmoAndGadgetsDad]

I went to the pet store today and got Gizmo a full spectrum bulb. The store I went to today did not have any Avian Specific bulbs but they did have Repti Glo Compact Fluorescents. From what I have read in order for our birds to gain any benefits there are certain requirements. Like color rendering index of 90 or higher and color temperature must be 5000K or greater. The bulb I got is a 13w compact fluorescent with a color rendering index of 98 and color temperature of 6700k. Does any one see any problem with this? If not it may be a great solution seeing that I only paid $9.99 for it.

Here is the exact specs on the bulb
Exo Terra - Products: Compact Bulbs

[kali]

i've seen a lot of things on here before about full spectrum lighting and not many people seem to know mcuh about it.

[loyallyroyal]

I dont know a whole lot about full spectrum lighting or even if your bird needs it??? Can anyone fill me in on that?

I bought my bird a cheap one, but I really dont use it a whole lot, I dont like the fact that were not supposed to look at it or be near it but our birds are supposed to kinda worries me

What does it do to our eyes? and how come it doesnt affect them?

All I know is my vet really pushed it, epecially the brand she sells, of course whe also pushes harrison pellets and told me I was wasting my time feeding fruits, veggies and warm meals and to only feed him harrisons pellets so I kind of take what she says with a grain of salt

[jimpierce7]

from what I have read 6700k is high. 5000k is optimal. With a CRI as close to 100 as you can get.

FS lighting is an attempt to imitate sun light. And yes our birds need sun light. Birds also don't see the same as humans, they see more in the ultra violet range and less in the infra red then we do. If nothing else FS lighting will do for them the same as it does for us when we don't get sun light. I have a 4' ceiling fixture I use with two 98 CRI 5000k bulbs in them. They do a wonderful job. My birds also spend time outside on the patio during the day so the also get indirect sun light this way they get the UV-B and UV-A rays they need as well.
My birds are a lot more active with the lights then they are with out.

[SDavid]

The consensus on "full spectrum" bulbs (from all I have researched) is pretty much that they don't provide enough for your bird to benefit from.

Companies that make these bulbs (in their ads) will go on about how your bird needs full spectrum light, sunlight, yadda, yadda. But they fail to mention whether or not their bulb provides the sufficient amount....wonder why.

IMO don't waste your money. Every product manufacturer out there is out to scare you into buying thier product. I spend a healthy amount of time with my birds outside as I would with any companion animal ( I love the outdoors myself ) so, although I was scared into buying ZooMed's bulb I never use it. Also, I'm sure personal testaments and experience with these bulbs as to how they've "worked" will differ but, as with much else in the birdkeeping world, I feel it's all anecdotal and not science.

[Syaoransbear]

I've used a reptile one before and I didn't notice much of a difference with the cockatiels, besides the lighting itself made their colors look better. But I mean it's $10 and I get it from petsmart, and the return policy there is 'return everything for any reason' so in a few months when it burns out, I just return it and get a new one hehehehe!! Everlasting light bulb!

[jimpierce7]

Originally Posted by SDavid

The consensus on "full spectrum" bulbs (from all I have researched) is pretty much that they don't provide enough for your bird to benefit from.

Companies that make these bulbs (in their ads) will go on about how your bird needs full spectrum light, sunlight, yadda, yadda. But they fail to mention whether or not their bulb provides the sufficient amount....wonder why.

IMO don't waste your money. Every product manufacturer out there is out to scare you into buying thier product. I spend a healthy amount of time with my birds outside as I would with any companion animal ( I love the outdoors myself ) so, although I was scared into buying ZooMed's bulb I never use it. Also, I'm sure personal testaments and experience with these bulbs as to how they've "worked" will differ but, as with much else in the birdkeeping world, I feel it's all anecdotal and not science.

not to mention the term "full spectrum" is a marketing term in and of itself. If my apartment was better lit during the day I probably wouldn't use them either.

[DarwinTheSun]

There is a difference between reptile bulbs and bird bulbs, and I would not trust reptile bulbs around birds.

I think it is important for birdies to have "sun", because they need to convert calcium into D3 just like we do. We do this the easy way...windows. We have great summer weather here though, so we can usually leave our windows open (UV doesn't come through glass), and my bird loves to sit in the window anyway and look outside. Keeps him entertained and a bit of sun too.

[GizmoAndGadgetsDad]

Originally Posted by DarwinTheSun

There is a difference between reptile bulbs and bird bulbs, and I would not trust reptile bulbs around birds.

Can you elaborate on the differences? This is the question I am trying to get at.

[DarwinTheSun]

I have heard that reptile lights can be harmful to birds, but I only know of two reasons. One, the UVA and UVB requirements are different for birds vs. reptiles. And two, that many reptile bulbs are coated with a substance that can be toxic to birds sensitive lungs.

Here is an interesting read. I can't guarantee the source, but it sure sounds like he knows what he is talking about.
Using Full Spectrum Lighting