Cheap light box (SAD)

Phoenix8_2

Buying bulbs can be a much cheaper route, but there are some thngs to be aware of - many aren't proper full spectrum Daylight and they charge around £10-£16 and then add postage on top, some as much as £6. So don't pay over the odds for something that may or maybe at theraputic level.

You can check the spectrum levels by looking at the CRI (Colour Rendering Index) rating. The higher the CRI rating the higher the quality of the light output compared to natural daylight.

CRI 90-100 (Full Spectrum, nearest to daylight, maximum benefit)
CRI 80-89 (Also used in SAD Boxes and will gain theraputic benefit)
CRI 70-79 (just pretty and light the room in a daylight colour, minimal theraputic benefit)

I have found you can get CRI 82/85 Daylight bulbs from here:
http://www.lampspecs.co.uk/Light-Bulbs-Tubes/Energy-Saving-Spiral-Daylight

From £3.50 to about £5 and postage starting from about £2.50 and maxing at around £5. Considering what is on the market for the same CRI level, this is the best deal I have found so far.

The proper full spectrum bulbs with normal bayonet/screw fittings seem harder to find - most proper full spectrum bulbs seem to be designed for light boxes. If anyone can find normal bayonet/screw bulbs with a CRI over 90 for under £10, please post it here! hahaha

Also I have heard, it's better to put a 82 ish bulb in your main workroom rather than look at a box as being above you mimics the position of the sun and you need to spend at least 2 hours a day in the ambiant light for it to make a difference. Insomniacs should not use the light in the evenings or drink coffee or tea after 4pm. Reiki healing seems quite effective with insomnia.

Taking liquorish tincture (or just eating liquorish) and ginseng tincture/tabs in the mornings helps your cortisol levels. Light boxes are most effective in the mornings. Also nothing can beat a daily walk in what approximates as real daylight this time of year in the great outdoors. Near lunchtime is a good time as the sun is at it's peak. Also making sure your sleeping routine is good (in bed before 11pm) with no lights or electrical equipment in your room and if you live in the city, it may be good to have a blackout blind as low light levels while you are sleeping affect sleep.

Bulb Checklist:
CRI of 80 or above
Approx 6400 kelvin
Marked as Daylight

http://www.lampspecs.co.uk/Light-Bulbs-Tubes/Energy-Saving-Spiral-Daylight

Hope this helps and adds to the discussion. :A

raj99

Hi
Ive been reading your discussions above about SAD lighting etc. Im looking for any kind of UVB lighting that will help in vitamin d production.

I was wondering if anyone had any ideas about the reptile uvb lamps that can be purchased online?

these are specifically designed for people who keep reptiles that need UV lighting to survive. they are quite high in their CRI output, eg.98. you can also buy them in tube format, or coil format (screw in base cap).

just as a rough example you could type in UVB LAMP on ebay.

Would these be safe and useful for human use?

kb1977

Do you think this would work?

http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/reptiles/equipment/lighting/spot_lights/85610#more