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
Repti Glo 2.0
Full Version: Full Spectrum Experts Wanted
I got mine from Amazon.com. It is a featherbrite bulb. I got the 15 wat. It is great becuase it is intended for birds and it doesn't get hot like those other incandescent bulbs. My girls love their FS lighting.
QUOTE (Pappagallo @ Jul 8 2008, 10:15 AM) 
I got mine from Amazon.com. It is a featherbrite bulb. I got the 15 wat. It is great becuase it is intended for birds and it doesn't get hot like those other incandescent bulbs. My girls love their FS lighting.
The bulb I got is also a compact fluorescent and produces very very little heat. I was referring more to the output of the bulb seeing that it is not avian specific.
I think that will probably be okay.
Just be sure not to put it too close to the cage and to give the bird a place it can go to get away from the rays if it needs to. Some birds (when their owners unknowingly put it RIGHT on top of the cage and where the bird could never get away from the light) have gotten extensive sunburns on their poor little eyes lids!
You want it about a foot from the cage, and probably at an angle where they can be directly in the light on side of the cage and not the other.
I have different brand, but my grey LOVES to bask in the light for about an hour at time.
Just be sure not to put it too close to the cage and to give the bird a place it can go to get away from the rays if it needs to. Some birds (when their owners unknowingly put it RIGHT on top of the cage and where the bird could never get away from the light) have gotten extensive sunburns on their poor little eyes lids!
You want it about a foot from the cage, and probably at an angle where they can be directly in the light on side of the cage and not the other.
I have different brand, but my grey LOVES to bask in the light for about an hour at time.
Found some really good info
USING FULL SPECTRUM LIGHTING WITH BIRDS
and
THE ULTRAVIOLET MYTH: LIGHTING AND PROPER DIET
Enjoy, it's a long read but very informative.
USING FULL SPECTRUM LIGHTING WITH BIRDS
and
THE ULTRAVIOLET MYTH: LIGHTING AND PROPER DIET
Enjoy, it's a long read but very informative.
I got a light with 97 9llums, It works great. I have two of them for both of my birds.
So with all the debate I decided to email Exo Terra the manufacturer of the bulb directly for an answer. Below you will find the email response I received from them.
Subject
Repti Glo 2.0 Compact
Discussion Thread
Response (David) 07/09/2008 03:30 PM
Dear Joe Antonelli,
So with that all being said the bulb is a great deal, seeing that similar avian specif bulbs run from $30-$50 for an almost exact bulb. I paid $10 at my local pet store for the bulb I got. I must say too that I have noticed an increase in Gizmo's activity since I set up the light for him.
Subject
Repti Glo 2.0 Compact
Discussion Thread
Response (David) 07/09/2008 03:30 PM
Dear Joe Antonelli,
QUOTE
Customer (Joe Antonelli) 07/09/2008 01:10 AM
Would there be any adverse effects using a Repti Glo 2.0 Compact
Full Spectrum bulb on avians?
Would there be any adverse effects using a Repti Glo 2.0 Compact
Full Spectrum bulb on avians?
QUOTE
We thank you for taking the time to contact us.
No, you will not experience any adverse effect using a Repti Glo 2.0 compact fluorescent bulb on avians, as minimal amounts of UV are beneficial to avians. Keep in mind though, that you wouldn't want to use any of the stronger Repti Glo bulbs such as the 5.0 or 10.0 on avians.
Thank you,
Dave Restaino
Customer Service Dept.
Rolf C. Hagen (USA) Corp.
No, you will not experience any adverse effect using a Repti Glo 2.0 compact fluorescent bulb on avians, as minimal amounts of UV are beneficial to avians. Keep in mind though, that you wouldn't want to use any of the stronger Repti Glo bulbs such as the 5.0 or 10.0 on avians.
Thank you,
Dave Restaino
Customer Service Dept.
Rolf C. Hagen (USA) Corp.
So with that all being said the bulb is a great deal, seeing that similar avian specif bulbs run from $30-$50 for an almost exact bulb. I paid $10 at my local pet store for the bulb I got. I must say too that I have noticed an increase in Gizmo's activity since I set up the light for him.
So it looks like I am now the forums resident full spectrum expert..LOL 
Hopefully this info will help others just like it has helped me.
Hopefully this info will help others just like it has helped me.
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