Does anyone use full spectrum lights in the house? Do you find any difference/benefits that regular bulbs don't provide? I want to put such a light over my parrot area, and would like to find a good source for the lights at a decent price. They're expensive! I also hear they're good for folks with seasonal depression (the blues that are triggered by too little daylight during winter months.) Any experience with this?

-- Shannon at Grateful Acres Animal Sanctuary (gratacres@aol.com), November 10, 2001

Answers

I haev one, my favorite reading lamp,, which gets used most during the long winters,, works wonders on the spirit. bought mine thru REAL GOODS

-- stan (sopal@net-port.com), November 10, 2001.

Check out Wal-Mart, ours just started carrying them. I haven't tried them yet, but they cost only marginally more than regular bulbs.

-- Sharon (spangenberg@hovac.com), November 10, 2001.

I use an Ott-Lite to cross stitch and read under. Very true to colour and I hope it will help with the winter light (lack of) blues this winter, which seems to affect me more each year. I know Ott- Lite makes a light just for birds--clamps to the cage, I think. AND OF COURSE, check ebay before you buy anywhere else. :)

-- Jennifer L. (Northern NYS) (jlance@nospammail.com), November 10, 2001.

Shannon, I had the "office" or "den" (whichever) made into my bird room (I have 10 pet birds!) -- got laminate on the floor, and two 48" fluorescent light fixtures put in. I got the Ott-Lites tubes for them for the birds. They've been pretty healthy and their feathers look good. Yes, Ott-Lites are expensive. I hope that I am preventing large vet bills or premature deaths by using them, however.

-- JF (unknown@private.nnet), November 10, 2001.

I have one, which does seem to help. I got it at a health foods store. Yesterday I looked at the local Walmart to see if they had them. They did not.

-- carol (kanogisdi@yahoo.com), November 11, 2001.

you might want to look at full spectrum 40w fluorescents, GE brand Sunshine or Sylvania Sunstick. They're about $10 each. Sylvania Gro-Lux wide spectrum are a bit cheaper. Both Sylvania and GE make a few different wide and full spectrum fluorescents. You can buy a 2 light 48" fixture under $10. Garden supply or Home Depot carries them. Those Ott brand are way overpriced.

-- Dave (something@somewhere.com), November 11, 2001.

Hey Shannon.......I use them in the winter. I put up a shop light type fixture with the gro-lux bulbs that I get from Lowes. They, the bulbs, are about twice as much as the regular ones but they last for a long time. You could grow a tub of lettuce and some flowers like I do and it really does combat the winter blues of seasonal affect disorder.

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), November 11, 2001.

We just bought the ones from Walmart but maybe someone else carries them too? They are GE "Reveal"... came in 60, 75 and 100 Watts (at least those.. may be more). We bought the 75 watts.. cost was 4/$2.97 or so... WORKS WONDERS!! It is usually sort of darkish and gloomy here (especially after the hours changed) and we all usually suffer some sort of seasonal affective disorder.. not this year (so far!)... hope this helps.. may want to look on the web for General Electric's website and see if you can find them in your locale. Take care! Terri

-- Terri (alberts@tvsonline.net), November 15, 2001.