Best fluo lighting considering UV% etc.

[vilem]

The topic says it all, I wanna what would be the best fluo lighting fixtures/tubes for arboreal boids such as chondros/jpc's/sanzinia etc. I've heard that those made specifically for aquarium plants are much better then the ones I can get at a hardware store but I'd like to know if the snakes will really benefit from them.

Many thanks again,
Guillaume

[Linds]

Well most fluorescent lights are not UV lights, so I wouldn't be concerned with the %, since boids do not require any. What you are looking for is the colour index and all that crap involved in full spectrum lighting. I don't know too much about it so I won't go any further where that is concerned I've heard the GE Sunshine lights are very good for bringing out the snakes natural colours.

[spidergecko]

You need to pick a bulb based on colour temperature. "Daylight" bulbs are around 6500-6700 kelvin. This gives really good colour to most animals. The higher the kelvin, the bluer the light. Plant lights are at 7600K I believe. The blue is nicer to look at. Regular fluorescent bulbs are 4300K to 5500K (warm and cool, respectively) and these are yellowy. They don't look as nice. GE makes a daylight bulb, as Lindsay said. I can't remember the exact name of it but it's about $5 to buy.

[spidergecko]

Also, the higher the K rating, the "weaker" the output of the lamp. That's why plant grow lamps don't appear as bright as regular bulbs. UV fluorescents are deep blue but I think there is a new bulb that is daylight with UV in it as well. I don't know if those are in Canada or not. I've never seen them but I've never looked either.

[little_dragon_]

day light is blue 5600 kelvin
regular bulbs like a light bulb is orange tungsten 3200 kelvin