Avicultural
Lamps
Avicultural
Lamps
TABLE 1 - FLUORESCENT LAMPS FOR AVIAN USE Lamp Cost Factor Color Temperature CRI Manufacturer SPECIALTY FULL SPECTRUM TL950 Series $$ 5000 K 98 Philips Lighting bioLIGHT LT48BE8 $$$ 5000 K 98 OTT bioLightsystems Lumichrome 1XC $$ 5000 K 96 Lumiram Vita Lite Supreme $$$ 5500 K 96 Duro-Test GENERAL FULL SPECTRUM Colortone 50 $ 5000 K 92 Philips Lighting Vita Lite "Original" $$$ 5500 K 91 Duro-Test Vita Lite Plus $$$ 5500 K 91 Duro-Test Chroma 50 $$ 5000 K 90 General Electric Table 1 shows a series of the most common lamps that are appropriate for bird use. Other lamps exist which may meet the criteria given for avian use, however they either have not been evaluated due to scarcity, or the manufacturer has not provided information to qualify them as comparable to those listed.
Lamps are rated with ascending priority given to the Color Rendition Index of each lamp. Devices with a higher Color Temperature rating are lower in acceptability than the 5000K units, because this measure will rise above acceptable standards for avian use faster than the lower Kelvin units. Cost factor is a measure of what the retail price, shipping, energy consumption, and changeout times average out to in the course of the lamps life.
Specialty full spectrum lamps may be used in all applications. They are recommended especially for environments which receive little or no ambient daylight, and where birds receive no unfiltered sunlight a majority of the time. These lamps produce varying amounts of UVB, which can aid in Vitamin D synthesis. A discussion of each lamp follows.
TL950 Series by Philips Lighting
The 950 series is a very high CRI lamp which is available in 24 and 48 inch sizes. Its low color temperature combined with a high CRI translate to a longer acceptable life. This lamp is also an extremely good buy, with prices ranging from $10.00 - $15.00 depending on area and supplier. It is the best performer of all the avicultural lights listed here. Will function effectively in either magnetic or electronic ballast fixtures. Do not use in preheat fixtures. Changeout is approximately two and a half years, based on an average 12 hour day.
OTT bioLight LT48BE8
OTT markets several versions of the bioLight (LT48BE10 & 12), but only the BE8 has a color temperature suitable for avicultural use. This lamp is actually the Philips TL950 in disguise, as it is manufactured for OTT by Philips to the TL950 specifications. OTT bioLightsystems adds a lead foil strip to the cathode ends of the lamps to eliminate the possibility of any stray radiation being emitted. Changeout is identical with the Philips product.
Lumichrome 1XC by Lumiram
This lamp provides excellent performance and balanced output at less cost than more expensive full spectrum solutions aimed at the bird market. Average price is $14.00 -$15.00 without shipping. Most suppliers waive shipment costs when ordering six or more tubes. Its brighter appearing output also gives it a place in all-over room illumination for both aviary and human living areas. Has a good UVA/UVB ratio. Will function effectively in either magnetic or electronic ballast fixtures. Do not use in preheat fixtures. Changeout is approximately two years, based on an average 12 hour day.
Vita-Light Supreme by Duro-Test Corp.
Duro-Test became the first company to manufacture what was then the first full spectrum lamp, based upon the recommendations of Dr. John Ott. Vita-Light now appears in three different versions, the Supreme being its premier product. The a general illumination Vita-Light is still available, but with a CRI of 86, it is only appropriate for general purpose human illumination use. The remaining two are the Supreme, and the Standard/Plus versions. The two deficits with the Vita-Light Supreme are Color Temperature and cost. The higher Color Temperature means that the lamp will not provide a balanced avian spectrum for as long as the 5000K series. Marketing strategies through pet suppliers also unnecessarily drive the cost to the $18.00 - $22.00 range. Will function effectively in either magnetic or electronic ballast fixtures. Do not use in preheat fixtures. Changeout is approximately 18 to 20 months, based on an average 12 hour day.
General illumination full spectrum lamps are more appropriate in areas which receive a substantial amount of ambient daylight. They provide a good and economical solution to large scale aviary lighting, as well as the ability to function in a wide variety of fixtures. General full spectrums produce little or no usable UVB, and therefore should not be used where ultraviolet light is a therapeutic need.
Colortone 50 by Philips Lighting
These lamps may be used in either cage fixtures, or for total aviary lighting. Available in up to a 96" tube, their low cost, combined with a good balanced output make them a solid choice for larger installations. Changeout is between 18 to 20 months, based upon an average 12 hour day. Wide availability at many larger hardware and home improvement chains.
Vita-Light "Original" & Plus by Duro-Test
This is the middle offering in the Vita-Lite line. Color temperature considerations as outlined in the description of the Supreme, combined with a lower CRI limit the use of these lamps (in tubes) to approximately one and one-half years before changeout. They may still (as with other lamps at changeout time) be used for general human illumination long after their bird lighting use. Again, these form a costly solution due to the method of marketing through pet stores. The Plus is a compact fluorescent version of the standard tube. Unfortunately, compacts are short lived in general use, and shift outside of usable parameters for birds within six months. The compact is therefore not recommended for general use.
Chroma 50 by General Electric
The Chroma 50 is generally marketed under the Sunshine label. While having an initial 5000K color temperature, they have a CRI of 90, which is minimum for avicultural use. The 24" tubes are especially short lived, requiring changeout in about nine months. These lamps are useful in areas which supplemental lighting is to be used part of the day (e.g., mornings and evenings), or to balance out illumination levels in otherwise reasonably lit areas, providing a source of UVA for vision. Often, this may be the only 24" full spectrum device readily available in many areas. While useful to aviculture, recommendation is given to seek out a higher CRI lamp. Always use these tubes in dual lamp fixtures.
Wherever possible, it is advisable to choose the best lamp finances will permit.
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Copyright 1999 by Patrick Thrush
