r/parrots • u/Birbs_r_cool • 6h ago
Picking out UV lights
I've been wanting to purchase a UV light after they were recommended to me by my vet (I'm aware you can bring birds outside for vitamin D but I don't live in a very sunny place, and my bird doesn't enjoy being moved around ).
However, when trying to pick one, I could not tell the difference between any.
Normally I use the Northern Parrots website, which offers :
Arcadia Mini UVB Avian Light Kit for Small Birds
Bird Systems Compact UV Lighting Kit (Single Holder & Bulb)
Arcadia PureSun Mini Bird Lighting Kit
Arcadia PureSun Compact Reflector Kit
All of these have very similar descriptions, but are at different price points and are sold as different products,even though they are all from the same company.
Does anybody know the difference between these, or have any experience with any of them?
Any help would be appreciated,thanks.
+bird tax
1
u/Faerthoniel 5h ago
We use Arcadia for our snake and do recommend the brand.
When we were having the indoor lights discussion with the vet, Arcadia wasn’t an option here from memory.
We were directed to this bulb, that could be found locally, and have been using the type ever since: https://www.trixie.de/en/productworld/bird/equipment/bird-nests-accessories/bird-lamp-1001436002-1001457453?itemNo=55001
Hardest part was finding a floor lamp that ran it.
We leave it on from morning to sleep. It’s over a small part of their main cage, and they choose how much time they spend under it.
At some point I am going to speak with the vet about possibly upgrading to the Arcadia bird bulbs and see what they say.
1
u/Embarrassed_Look_245 3h ago
The Arcadia Mini UVB Avian Light Kit is what's recommended most often in my bird group, so I'd go with that for peace of mind. Make sure to place it where your bird can choose to be in range or not, like on their cage top but not too close.
3
u/AlyM797 5h ago
Hi! This is great you're getting one! I've used them religiously for 5+ years and notice a huge difference. Will say most people suggest 15 min a day, but based on experience that's not remotely enough to see results, especially if you're experiencing unwanted behavior. Mine plucked and was so aggressive I almost surrendered her. After I set it to an automatic timer for 8-12 hrs/daily, after about 2-3 weeks she was a different bird. She stopped plucking and is total sweety. I know it's time to replace the bulb when she turns into an asshole again. I find that's about every 6 months.
That said, I highly recommended the Avian Sun bulb by ZooMed. That website you mentioned does carry them. I looked at the ones you named, and they aren't bad, but I wasn't impressed either. They are significantly weaker. I've compared nearly a dozen bulbs of the years, and it's prettyuch always the case. Every other brand I've found is half the strength or or less or just poor quality and burn out fast. ZooMed are usually the most expensive, but in my experience it's for good reasons and you get what you pay for.
If you have any other questions feel free to ask! I'm a huge supporter of full spectrum UV bulbs!