UVA/UVB Floor Lamps

[upcgirl]

With fall and winter (I know, I said WINTER!!) approaching, I thought how soon, we won't see much sun and how that can affect Max. I started looking for an UVA/UVB lamp for him.

I saw this on a website, and the description confuses me. Is the lamp AND bulb good for only a year? Or is it just the bulb itself? I know this sounds stupid. But the description is not clear--they really need to clarify it.

Also does anyone use these? Any dangers I need to know about?

Bird Lighting: Zoo Med AvianSun Deluxe Floor Lamp at Drs. Foster & Smith

Thanks in advance

 

[Echo]

It is the bulb you should replace after a year. I own this lamp and another brand as well. You are right, they are confusing in their wording, but you just need to replace the bulb, not the lamp

 

[upcgirl]

Thank you! I thought it was only the bulb, but I wanted to be sure

Thanks again!

Do you like this lamp or is there another brand that you would suggest?

 

[Echo]

The zoo-med lamp is flimsy. I have 2 Ott-Lite brand lamps that are better quality/sturdier. However, both brands are rather short (around 5 feet maybe?) so if your cage is tall, the light will not shine down from the top like it is recommended but from the side..... I haven't been able to find a floor lamp that would be taller.

 

[birdmama61]

I have that exact lamp and they are correct whoever said they are flimsy . I still use it but I have to put heavy big books at the base to keep it from tipping over .

 

[Spiritbird]

I have the same lamp from DF and S. They have replaced the lamp 3 times now because it just stopped working. It is not sturdy and getting it to go over the top of the cage is not easy. If you search old threads you will find a photo of the good one. I will see if I can find it.

OK here is is and I bought it from mysafebirdstore.com. .

It clips onto the top of the cage and I have had no trouble with it at all.

 

[artemis]

Echo, where did you get your Ott-Light lamps? I have the Zoo-Med floor lamps right now, and I can see they're not likely to be long-lasting units. Ans I'd prefer a floor lamp to a lamp on the top of the cage, since my birds like to scramble around up there.

 

[amysaviary]

What I use is the bulb like from Dr. F & S and then use a normal clamp light. U can buy them at Lowes or Target anywhere really for pretty cheap. Then I can clamp it above the cage. Personally I put a screw in the wall then clamp it to that. Cheap and EZ.

 

[henpecked]

I have a friend on another forum ,who is a rocket scientist,(for real). When it comes to things like artificial lighting,she's going to research it to the max and leave no stone unturned. She called up the different manufactures and talked to their scientist to get the real answers. Trust me , she is VERY though. Her take is this.Direct sunlight is the best, florescent is better than incandescent , has to be with 18" to be effective, use 1 -2 hrs per week, and change bulbs twice a year. The bulbs are coated and you can't tell if they're still working with out a meter, so change often.(50 hrs). Incandescent give off heat!!! Many feel that the florescent lights oscillate (flicker) at a frequency that doesn't bother us, but birds find disturbing.If you think the light is bothering your bird, i'd try another cure. If your bird could be in his cage and in front of an open window for a few minutes a week ,that should be enough. My birds have travel cages and i'll put them in the sun in a protected area, during the winter , on pretty days. Yes sometimes they may go a week or two but they'll be fine, so long as you try and take advantage of any opportunities you have to get them direct sunlight.

 

[MollyGreenCheeks]

I have a friend on another forum ,who is a rocket scientist,(for real). When it comes to things like artificial lighting,she's going to research it to the max and leave no stone unturned. She called up the different manufactures and talked to their scientist to get the real answers. Trust me , she is VERY though. Her take is this.Direct sunlight is the best, florescent is better than incandescent , has to be with 18" to be effective, use 1 -2 hrs per week, and change bulbs twice a year. The bulbs are coated and you can't tell if they're still working with out a meter, so change often.(50 hrs). Incandescent give off heat!!! Many feel that the florescent lights oscillate (flicker) at a frequency that doesn't bother us, but birds find disturbing.If you think the light is bothering your bird, i'd try another cure. If your bird could be in his cage and in front of an open window for a few minutes a week ,that should be enough. My birds have travel cages and i'll put them in the sun in a protected area, during the winter , on pretty days. Yes sometimes they may go a week or two but they'll be fine, so long as you try and take advantage of any opportunities you have to get them direct sunlight.

So your friend is saying that 1-2 hours a week of direct sunlight or Avian light is sufficient?

Also, just to reiterate for those unsure, if you place your bird cage at a sunlit window, the window must be open for the bird to benefit. The bird must be in direct sunlight without obstruction.

 

[henpecked]

I'd say 20 minutes of direct sunlight per week or 1-2 hrs of artificial,but there's no real substitute for sunlight. The sunlight doesn't have to be direct, in the shade will work but the light is reflected and UVAs /UVBs are diluted, so more exsposure is needed. Yes ,glass blocks the rays the bird needs, the screen doesn;t,only dilutes it. Hope that's clearer than mud.