need help please

[cody]

Ok that makes sence now. The basking light I have now is made by all living things and has kind of a yellowish tint to it. I hear "white light " a lot. Is white light just not blue or red, or specificly halogen

 

[cody]

Ok that makes sence. I have a basking light by all living things. I hear I want a "white light". Is a white light consided just not colored like blue or red, or specificlora halogen? Because my basking light isn't colored, but I wouldn't consider it "white"

 

[jarich]

All 'white' lights are made up of various wavelengths (colours) together, so each style has its own tint based on which wavelengths are produced the most. Its often called a colour temperature, and will be represented by a number followed by a K. Halogens are often yellowish tinged, like you have with yours, but are still considered a white light. They are often referred to as 'soft' lights. Youll notice from your pictures that the MVB had more of a blue tinge to it. Often tube fluorescents will have this bluish tint as well. Sodium halides like you see in street lamps are orangish. However, if the bulb is not actually coloured, then it is still considered a white light.

Since you are just learning, be careful of the whole "white light protects their eyes" nonsense. It is something that gets thrown around but does not have any scientific basis. White light does not protect eyes at all. A bright light will dilate pupils, and therefore allow less light of any kind in, but this is not protection against an improperly mounted UV. Nor is it true that white light is the right colour temperature for pupil dilation. The cells in the eye that control pupil dilation actually respond to blue wavelengths, but I suppose thats being a bit technical.