itsjustnikki Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 I was just wondering what brands of full spectrum lighting everyone uses. I currently use the Avian Sun bulb with the floor lamp setup they sell. I am happy with it, but I did notice that there are other options out there so I wanted to get peoples opinions. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayd Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 We've used that brand it seems like forever, very trusted.. Thanks Maggie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danmcq Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 (edited) Avian Sun is a good avian light source. There are many different manufactures that make great avian specific compact fluorescent and also tubes. I personally use dual Lumichrome 1xx 24 inch 32 watt tubes suspended above my birds cages. Each bird owner must determine which type of fixture, fluorescent and mounting provides the optimum exposure for their application and environment. Here are a few other avian light manufacturers: bioLIGHT LT48BE8 5000 K 98 OTT bioLightsystems Lumichrome 1XC or XX 5000 K 96 Lumiram ` TL950 Series 5000 K 98 Philips Lighting Vita Lite Supreme 5500 K 96 Duro-Test Edited January 28, 2013 by danmcq Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timbersmom Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 I'm using avian sun. the floor stand it came with didn't fit together well, so I mounted the "arm" thing to the wall so I can adjust the height. When I ordered it, it was the only one I found. When I have to replace the bulb this summer, I will check these others out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsjustnikki Posted January 28, 2013 Author Share Posted January 28, 2013 (edited) It is time for me to replace the bulb which is why I am asking. I am happy with the lamp stand, it has held up to Tango's abuses. If I happen to accidentally leave it too close to his cage and he can reach it he likes to try to grab it and try to climb on it or let it slam against the wall. So far it hasn't failed, so I don't want to fix what's not broken. So basically I am looking for another CFL bulb to put in there. **I should mention that I have the old style lamp stand that I thought for sure was going to break after like 5 minutes. If you look at the reviews on amazon it gets like 1 star. Maybe I got the 1 out of 100 that isn't going to break, but I have to say I am satisfied! Edited January 28, 2013 by itsjustnikki Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timbersmom Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 You are fortunate indeed. Mine was so wobbly that it wouldn't stand alone. The way we rigged it works fine and it was cheap, so I'm not complaining! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsjustnikki Posted January 30, 2013 Author Share Posted January 30, 2013 I think I got mine on clearance or something I don't remember it being super expensive. No complaints either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsjustnikki Posted February 6, 2013 Author Share Posted February 6, 2013 I ended up getting a featherbrite bulb this time instead of the ZooMed this time. This bulb is way brighter than the ZooMed one and a few dollars cheaper! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayd Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 (edited) I ended up getting a featherbrite bulb this time instead of the ZooMed this time. This bulb is way brighter than the ZooMed one and a few dollars cheaper! We've stayed away from Featherbrite for a coupe of reasons: Product Description FeatherBrite 15w compact spiral fluorescent bulb, 5500k, 91 CRI, UVA 4%, UVB .05%. Guaranteed not to burn out before (1)one year. Standard socket base. A Zoomed has much more UVB, it doesn't have to be placed as cloce to your parrot, also it is 29w [Watts], a lot stronger. This is the reason featherbrite has a lower cost..... Featherbrite says to use there bulb during the brightest part of the day, Zoomed can be used in a windowless room....Sorry....Thanks Jayd Edited February 6, 2013 by Jayd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsjustnikki Posted February 6, 2013 Author Share Posted February 6, 2013 I got the 20w featherbrite bulb from Bird Paradise in New Jersey. I checked with my vet and she said that the ZooMed 5.0 UVB is the same as 0.05% UVB in the featherbrite bulb, they just state it differently. I tried to email ZooMed to confirm this (mainly because I want to know why there would be such a huge difference.), but I haven't gotten a response. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayd Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 I got the 20w featherbrite bulb from Bird Paradise in New Jersey. I checked with my vet and she said that the ZooMed 5.0 UVB is the same as 0.05% UVB in the featherbrite bulb, they just state it differently. I tried to email ZooMed to confirm this (mainly because I want to know why there would be such a huge difference.), but I haven't gotten a response. The FeatherBrite 20 Watt Spiral Compact Bulb is a full spectrum bulb which has a color temperature of 5500K and a CRI of 91. UVA 4% UVB .05% This bulb cannot be used with a dimmable light fixture. Replacement bulb for Zoo Med AvianSun Full Spectrum Lamp. 26 watts 5.0 UVB UVA + UVB = True Full Spectrum Light. This is Zoo Med response to my inquire: The AvianSun 5.0 UVB provides UVB and UVA in levels that are comparable to what would be received in the shade outdoors. Zoo Med has found that this is a safe and effective level of exposure, and can be used to provide birds with a normal photoperiod, without providing too much UVB. If the level was the same as that of the sun, the lamp could only be left on for short periods of time. This lamp can be used for 8-10 hours per day to provide true full spectrum light – visible light, UVA and UVB. AvianSun® 5.0 - 5% UVB Output, 30% UVA Output, FULL SPECTRUM. Thank you. The Avian sun is 26w and the featherbrite is 20w, [AS IS 6W BRIGHTER] the featherbrite UVB is .05. as 5.0 that's a big difference, ..500th of a % compared to 5 full % Thats 500 % larger..... Featherbrite says to use there bulb during the brightest part of the day, Zoomed can be used in a windowless room..Sorry to disagree with your vet..Thanks Jay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsjustnikki Posted February 6, 2013 Author Share Posted February 6, 2013 ZooMed did confirm that it is 5% UVB. But now I have found some other things that say it might be too much UVB for birds. I want to investigate this further because it has piqued my interest. I only asked the vet that I work at (who has birds but isn't boarded). I take Tango to a board certified Avian vet so I am going to talk with her about the different bulbs. I have used the ZooMed for 3 years without a problem, but I don't know if I continue to use it long term will it have a negative effect. I never asked her about specific brands of bulbs, I just kind of went out and bought one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danmcq Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 (edited) The UVB output is fine. Five percent is pretty much the "Norm" in the avian lighting industry. The key is using the distance recommended by ZooMed. Too close an it would be too much, too far and could be significantly reduced or no UVB could be reaching Tango at all. The UVB increases or decreases exponentially as distance shortens or increases respectively. One thing on any specifications is trying to determine which numerical representation a manufacturer uses. They can say 5 % not using any decimal places or .05 % which is 5 percent. For example .10 would be 10 percent etc. until reaching a value of 1 being 100% UVB. I run in to these issues all the time in looking up electronic components and their specifications. They do not all use the same numeric standards sometimes, so I must be careful in assuming things or I could end up with a component that will not function according to our design specifications. Edited February 6, 2013 by danmcq Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayd Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 (edited) ZooMed did confirm that it is 5% UVB. But now I have found some other things that say it might be too much UVB for birds. I want to investigate this further because it has piqued my interest. I only asked the vet that I work at (who has birds but isn't boarded). I take Tango to a board certified Avian vet so I am going to talk with her about the different bulbs.I have used the ZooMed for 3 years without a problem, but I don't know if I continue to use it long term will it have a negative effect. I never asked her about specific brands of bulbs, I just kind of went out and bought one. Thanks all and thank you, there's no one I respect more then some one who does reaserch...I've read the article by the gentleman who trashed Zoo Med, his is the only complaint on the www, he has no proof, the main complaint is weak stands....Thanks, Jayd Edited February 7, 2013 by Jayd added, more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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