yet another lighting question for...

sean · Post by **sean** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 6:24 pm

those whom are more knowledgable than I.

i recently installed a full spectrum light above the cages of my star finches. the way that I did it was by mounting an 18" inch floursecent lamp on the wall. The lamp is 12" above the cage.

The bulb that i have in is an 12" T8 full spectrum with a CRI rating of 92.

I have two questions:

1.) the lamp that i am using is a conventional, flourescent "undercabinet" lamp. It has an opaque cover that fits over the flourescent bulb so that the light is not as glaring. Will this interfere with the full spectrum radiation?

2.) my finches seem to be less active now for some reason. Also, the sem to be puffing up there feathers more, although they are not panting. what could be the reason?

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 8:50 pm

Sean, not sure about the cover since all my fixtures either don't have covers or I took them off.

Are your lights on a timer? How many hours per day? The only explaination I can think of is that you might be convincing them that it's time to moult. My goulds usually puff up for a few days before they lose their first feathers.

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 8:56 pm

Sean my lights had covers too but i took them off

sean · Post by **sean** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 9:16 pm

ok, i removed the cover from my lamp and the finches seem to be more back to normal. the female (my main concern) is less fluffed up and seems to be more active--although not nearly as much as she used to be.

will the extra vitamin A and D3 from the light be enough to supplement their requirements?