#uv lighting

[neon-junkie]

I finished decorating my bedroom🥺

[nickki-d-k]

I need to get back to drawing again... Here's one of my many WIPs. This is my opal troll oc Brad (Labradorite) and some uv lighting experimenting. Opal trolls have different patterns that show up under uv.

[megandear]

Didn’t get to really dress up this year for Halloween, so I sort of just put together an 80s Stranger Things vibe. ✌🏻

[rainbowsnakes]

Is there anything to take into consideration when providing uvb light to snakes and such that are lacking melanin (albino/amel and whatnot)?

Yes you do need to be aware that these animals skin will transmit much more UV than a pigmented snake. Their eyes can also be more sensitive to both UV and visible light.

General UV safety tips for UV provision.

Adhere to minimum safe distances from bulbs and make sure reptiles can’t bask closer to the bulb than this recomended safe distance.  (This will vary depending on the type of bulb. Its typically about 15cm for a t8 tube).

Make sure the UV index you provide in the enclosure won’t exceed what the animal would typically encounter in the wild. (UV tool is a good resource).

Use reptutable brands with safe spectrums. There were cases of reptiles eyes being harmed by bulbs that emitted damaging non-terrestrial UVB wavelengths (not normally in sunlight). Arcadia is always my go-to brand.

Make sure bulbs are installed in a way that light is directed downwards, not angled on the side of the enclosure so it would shine into the animals eyes illustrated quite well by the picture below. This is particularly important for animals that do bask for longer periods of time as the form of their head shape is often adapted to sheild their eyes from top down light but wont help if the bulb is positioned at the side of a basking point.  

-Photo credit Fran Baines

Provide plenty of cover and hides for the animal to avoid the light if desired

Use a bulb guard if applicable. Or otherwise make sure the animal cant climb on or damage the bulb.

Extra considerations for light sensitive animals

Use a lower UVB % than typically recomended for the species in question. As the skin transmits uvb more easily you wont need as much.

Dont use really bright light.  High light intensity could stress them out or even hurt their eyes. Unless you have a huge very tall enclosure you wouldnt pick a bright T5 light for example.  Use the light and shade method and make sure the animal can self regulate its exposure and never be forced to move through lit areas.

Diffuse the light. You can place the bulb on the outside of the enclosure on the other side of fine mesh or place fake plants and other cover around the basking areas. Some animals will bask with parts of their bodies concealled, (be that with parts of themselves sticking out of burrows or parts sticking out of leaf cover) so they are still getting the benefits of UV but not over exposed to it and have the option of hiding their faces.

Monitor the situation! The aim is to provide a few oppotunites for the animal to safely use UV and be able to self regulate this within the safe limits. If you notice a sudden decrease in activity, more escape related behaviours or any other causes for concern then re-evaluate and potentially remove the bulb.  

Depending on the animal some keepers of light sensitive animals may choose to avoid providing visible or uv light at all.  I have seen leopard geckos at shows for instance that, even in quite dim room lighting, were visibly stressed, squinting and restlessly trying to keep their heads sheilded from the light under the stickers on top of their deli cups. I don’t remember what morph those were but in that case providing lighting would likely do more harm than good.  

So providing full spectrum light will be a case by case assesment for the individual animal. I don’t particularly agree with breeding animals that can’t perform such an intrinsic natural behaviour like that…even moreso with animals that truly rely on UV. but thats probably a topic for a different post….

In most cases Iv’e seen (with snakes at least) animals with reduced pigment still activley make use of, and can safely benefit from, UV without evidence of stress or harm. But again- case by case assesment.      

Hope some of this helps!

[lightsourcesinc]

Our safe, low maintenance UV lamps are utilized in ballast water treatment systems to successfully eradicate all forms of harmful invasive species.

The new Ballast Water Treatment Convention (BWTC) went into full effect on September 8, 2017, requiring all ships to have an approved method of ballast water treatment on board their ship.  Ballast water is used to balance the ship as sea water is brought in when cargo is low, or removed when cargo is heavy. When seawater is picked up in one port is discharged into another port in another country or marine environment, the microorganisms wreak havoc in the new water region, acting as foreign invaders.  Invasive species newly introduced to a region upsets the eco-system and can create insurmountable problems.

All ships including cargo ships, tankers and cruise ships were required to comply by September 8, 2017, under the requirements of the new BWTC.

Ballast Water Treatment Methods with U.S. Coast Guard Approval

Ships must be equipped with an on-board ballast water treatment method to meet these new requirements.  While there are a few different methods for sterilizing water, one stands out as superior to the others.  Some treatment methods may work, but come with added consequences that are not always desirable.

Three main approaches are taken to treat ballast water; mechanical, chemical or physical.  Mechanical methods include filtration and separation; chemical methods use chlorination or biocides, while physical methods include electrical currents, ozone and UV radiation.  

Of these three main methods, UV radiation offers the most benefits with effective treatment, low-cost, low-maintenance and is completely safe.

UV Technology for Ballast Water Treatment

UV technology is used to sterilize and treat water in many applications such as waste water treatment plants.  UV water sterilization is proven effective at removing threatening invasive species, with low costs as there is no requirement to purchase chemicals, low maintenance with the right type of long lasting UV lamps, and is completely safe.  

Chemical treatments, on the other hand, require the purchase and storage of these chemicals, and then there is the fact that these chemicals are also released into the ocean which could pollute the water, the very thing the BWTC is aiming to put a stop to.  

LightSources Produces High Performing, Long Lasting UV Lamps for Ballast Water Treatment Systems

LightSources is a leading global manufacturer of UV lamps and lighting solutions, offering our patented Low-Pressure Amalgam Lamp technology for effective sterilization with a small footprint.  We also produce Medium-Pressure UV (MPUV) lamps which are just as effective also with a small footprint.

To learn more about the Ballast Water Treatment Convention regulations, enforced by the IMO (International Maritime Organization), visit Globallast.imo.org, an organization that is dedicated to raising awareness and reducing the harmful effects to our world’s oceans through contaminated ballast water.  

LightSources and our valued partner companies are recognized for producing superior lamps and lighting solutions, providing high-tech solutions with innovation products. Contact us today to learn more about our highly effective and low costs UV lamps for ballast water treatment systems.  

[budgiechops]

Enjoying the UV lamp!

[avacado-and-louie]

UV exposure for your bird.

Birds, like all living creatures need sunlight and exposure the the UV light spectrum.

Your overall parrots well being depends on sunlight. It’s important for:  - Calcium absorption - Vitamin D (which is in turn excreted through a gland above their tails as an oil and helps with preening and feather health) - Immune system health - Nutrient absorbency from food - Vision (Birds see in full colour spectrum as well as UV, which helps locate foods, and mates) - Mood and temperament (Though not a solution for behavioural issues); like humans, the sun creates happier birds which link to less depression, hormonal balances - Helping with destructive behaviour like Feather Plucking - Organ Function

So, how do we provide UV exposure to your bird?

UV exposure is best done naturally through direct sunlight.  However, sitting your bird at a window is not providing your bird with the benefits of UV, glass filters out the radiation and offers no benefit but warmth.  A better option is placing your bird at the front of fly screens, in turn also providing your bird with fresh air. An even better alternative is taking your bird outside either in an aviary or a secure cage, this can be their housing one or a carry cage. Just ensure weather doesn’t play an extremity in these direct sunlight cases aka - summertime = too hot to have sunlight exposure resulting in heat stress or an uncomfortable cold environment.

What can we do if direct sunlight is a limited option where you live?

Exposure to UV rays through artificial lighting zones in their cage (Some cages are actually created with pre-fitted light bulbs in them) which have the bulb placed a MINIMUM of 30cm/12″ away.  - A bulb used for birds should have both UV-A & UV-B rays in them.  - Reptile bulbs are not adequate and can give off excessive heat and can offer to much UVB exposure. An article on artificial lighting with which bulbs to use can be found here.

How much exposure should we provide?

It depends on where you live in the world and what you have time to provide. Some say 3 hours in a day for direct sunlight but 30 - 60 mins should suffice. And generally 8 hours in a day for artificial lighting. 

For additional info; Google Michael Stanford BVSc, MRCVS document “The effect of UVB lighting supplementation in African Grey Parrots” and read the PDF documentation. It’s quite interesting.

[lightsourcesinc]

In-duct air purification systems are used in many settings without you even knowing it.  Purifying and sterilizing the air that we breathe is a health benefit to all of us and is even more critical to people suffering from respiratory disease such as asthma or immune deficiency conditions.  Air purification systems are widely used in HVAC systems in commercial buildings, nursing homes and hospitals, with ultraviolet (UV) energy effectively and safely cleansing the air we breathe.  

UVC In-Duct Air Purification

The energy from UV light is used in a wide variety of applications, and is widely used to sterilize air, water and surfaces.  UV light is broken down into color, measured by wavelengths referred to as nanometers (nm). UVC light emitted at specific wavelengths, especially at 254 nm is proven to be very effective at instantly eradicating harmful contaminants, bacteria and viruses.  UV air purification even eliminates odors caused by contaminants in the air, leaving the air we breathe clean, sterile and odor free.  

UVC air purification systems are ozone free, which is beneficial to HVAC equipment as ozone exposure can erode components of the AC cooling system.  UV air purification technology offers highly effective and completely safe methods to purify air, water and surfaces.  

LightSources Leads the Industry with UVC Air Sterilization

LightSources and our valued partners have vast experience in developing UV lamps used in sterilization and purification applications.  We offer a vast selection of standard lamps and provide custom design features for unique situations.  

We are one of the largest producers of UV lamp products, offering low-pressure and medium pressure lamps, custom ceramic bases, ballasts and quartz sleeves.  Our UV germicidal lamps are found in a multitude of applications worldwide, providing a safe environment with clean air, water and germ-free surfaces.  

LightSources and our valued partner companies represent the leading high-tech lamp designers and manufacturers in the industry today.  Our products are used around the globe in a multitude of applications such as our UV germicidal lamps used in purification systems.  Please contact us to learn more about our large selection of specialty, custom and standard UVC germicidal lamps.