How close is too close to a window

1littlefishy · 05/20/2017, 12:06 PM

I'm still in the planning stages of my new reef tank and am wondering about tank placement in the house. The best place I have for it is near a window. I wish I had a better place for it, but that's where the wife wants it. What does everyone think?

Some other info, I'm in Michigan (northern U.S.). It's a north facing window and the tank would never get direct sunlight. I do have shades I could close on part of the window.

PeterHall · 05/20/2017, 12:44 PM

I put my 300 gallon right in front of a window. Perfect for when I need to access the back of the tank. I then tinted the window so I didn't see all the junk and the tank didn't get full sun.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

billdogg · 05/20/2017, 01:11 PM

IMHO, it will depend on what direction the window faces. If it's south or west you will have more issues than if it's north or east. Then there is the winter months (if it gets cold where you are).

I would try to convince her that there are better places if it were me. Not that it can't be done, just that it can create a number of problems that can be avoided.

ca1ore · 05/21/2017, 08:54 AM

I believe there are these new things known as window blinds

. I had a reef tank right under a window, and my current tank or right next to a sliding door. No issues with the use of blinds.

wrott · 05/21/2017, 03:55 PM

I know most people advise to keep aquariums away from sunlight, but if blinds are used properly you can grow algae on one side of the tank and use it for nutrient export--snails, tangs, etc...
It depends on your light schedule. My lights don't turn on until 4pm, so direct sunlight is no good--unless i want insomniac fish!
Windows don't matter is the point. GL w/ the new tank.

Artthorn · 12/29/2020, 12:41 PM

So, is it a good idea, placing it in front of a window?

WayneDante · 12/29/2020, 01:15 PM

I think that it is better to not place in a front of window.

Sk8r · 12/29/2020, 03:20 PM

Algae and cyanobacteria (red slime) thrive in sunlight, and while lowering phosphate will stop the algae, with cyano, not so much. Best curtain the window permanently or put the tank where no window light ever reaches it. The more parameters you can completely control (in a good direction) in a tank, the fewer problems you will have.

cody6766 · 12/29/2020, 09:33 PM

If it's a good window that keeps the heat/cold out, and you can block the light with curtains or similar means, it's not any different than a wall. If it's a single pane window you'll have to make sure your heater can overcome the cold seep. If you can't block the light, you will have algae issues, at least on the glass.

When I had my tank running in Alaska, the side caught a lot of sunlight from a south-facing window. I had 2-3 times the film algae growth on that panel, but no ill effects on the sand or rock.

A tank on a window is not an absolute no-no, but you do have to account for the light and temp issues that could arise.

Assapax · 01/06/2021, 01:04 PM

Well, actually it is advised to keep the aquarium away from sunlight. However, I have kept my aquarium next to a window, for like my entire life, and everything is ok. Actually, there are a lot of ... variables, a lot of things that the aquarium is dependent on. It is not only the sunlight, it is the light in general, and many other thing. Despite the fact that it is next to a window, it is a darker corner in there. Maybe it is due to the fact that I got some really great sliding sash windows Ireland, and they kind of keep the sunlight really nice.

Timfish · 01/09/2021, 08:51 AM

Direct sunlight will make it a challenge to keep a lot of stuff so I'd avoid that. For a smaller tank heat may be the primary issue for a larger tank many corals adjust their fluorescing and chromo proteins to the light spectrum they're getting and sunlight will shift those colors and some corals will not like the additional yellow and red wavelengths or the seasonal changes in the amount of sunlight recieved. If the tank is not going to get direct sunlight I don't see a problem with it being very close to a window

andrewkw · 01/11/2021, 08:59 AM

While this tank isn't right in front of a window, it's across from some big windows and gets several hours of direct sunlight depending on the time of year. I would prefer to place a reef somewhere where it gets direct sunlight if possible. While I don't necessarily believe it's a benefit as far as the tank, it adds hours of enjoyment to watching the reef.

lb013 · 01/13/2021, 06:36 AM

You will be fine. I used to have my 120 reef on a opposite wall from a large picture window that faced North for years with no issues.

05/20/2017, 12:06 PM	#1
1littlefishy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 2	How close is too close to a window I'm still in the planning stages of my new reef tank and am wondering about tank placement in the house. The best place I have for it is near a window. I wish I had a better place for it, but that's where the wife wants it. What does everyone think? Some other info, I'm in Michigan (northern U.S.). It's a north facing window and the tank would never get direct sunlight. I do have shades I could close on part of the window.

05/20/2017, 01:11 PM	#3
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	IMHO, it will depend on what direction the window faces. If it's south or west you will have more issues than if it's north or east. Then there is the winter months (if it gets cold where you are). I would try to convince her that there are better places if it were me. Not that it can't be done, just that it can create a number of problems that can be avoided. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

05/21/2017, 08:54 AM	#4
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	I believe there are these new things known as window blinds . I had a reef tank right under a window, and my current tank or right next to a sliding door. No issues with the use of blinds. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

05/21/2017, 03:55 PM	#5
wrott Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,912	I know most people advise to keep aquariums away from sunlight, but if blinds are used properly you can grow algae on one side of the tank and use it for nutrient export--snails, tangs, etc... It depends on your light schedule. My lights don't turn on until 4pm, so direct sunlight is no good--unless i want insomniac fish! Windows don't matter is the point. GL w/ the new tank. __________________ OK, but where does the meat go! ------------------------------------------------ 120g SPS, 125g mix, 56g FOWLR, 20g qt

12/29/2020, 03:20 PM	#8
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Algae and cyanobacteria (red slime) thrive in sunlight, and while lowering phosphate will stop the algae, with cyano, not so much. Best curtain the window permanently or put the tank where no window light ever reaches it. The more parameters you can completely control (in a good direction) in a tank, the fewer problems you will have. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

05/20/2017, 12:44 PM	#2
PeterHall Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Pacific Palisades, CA Posts: 199	I put my 300 gallon right in front of a window. Perfect for when I need to access the back of the tank. I then tinted the window so I didn't see all the junk and the tank didn't get full sun. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

12/29/2020, 12:41 PM	#6
Artthorn Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Melbourne Posts: 6	So, is it a good idea, placing it in front of a window?

12/29/2020, 01:15 PM	#7
WayneDante Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: USA,NY Posts: 1	I think that it is better to not place in a front of window.

12/29/2020, 09:33 PM	#9
cody6766 Super Best Friends! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 3,772	If it's a good window that keeps the heat/cold out, and you can block the light with curtains or similar means, it's not any different than a wall. If it's a single pane window you'll have to make sure your heater can overcome the cold seep. If you can't block the light, you will have algae issues, at least on the glass. When I had my tank running in Alaska, the side caught a lot of sunlight from a south-facing window. I had 2-3 times the film algae growth on that panel, but no ill effects on the sand or rock. A tank on a window is not an absolute no-no, but you do have to account for the light and temp issues that could arise. __________________ "The moral is the chosen, not the forced; the understood, not the obeyed. The moral is the rational, and reason accepts no commandments." - John Galt Current Tank Info: Cadlights 60G Arisan II mixed reef with 2x MP40s and 24" ATI

01/06/2021, 01:04 PM	#10
Assapax Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Ontario Toronto Posts: 11	Well, actually it is advised to keep the aquarium away from sunlight. However, I have kept my aquarium next to a window, for like my entire life, and everything is ok. Actually, there are a lot of ... variables, a lot of things that the aquarium is dependent on. It is not only the sunlight, it is the light in general, and many other thing. Despite the fact that it is next to a window, it is a darker corner in there. Maybe it is due to the fact that I got some really great sliding sash windows Ireland, and they kind of keep the sunlight really nice.

01/09/2021, 08:51 AM	#11
Timfish Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,985	Direct sunlight will make it a challenge to keep a lot of stuff so I'd avoid that. For a smaller tank heat may be the primary issue for a larger tank many corals adjust their fluorescing and chromo proteins to the light spectrum they're getting and sunlight will shift those colors and some corals will not like the additional yellow and red wavelengths or the seasonal changes in the amount of sunlight recieved. If the tank is not going to get direct sunlight I don't see a problem with it being very close to a window __________________ "Our crystal clear aquaria come nowhere close to the nutrient loads that swirl around natural reefs" Charles Delbeek

01/11/2021, 08:59 AM	#12
andrewkw Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: St. Joseph Island Posts: 1,069	While this tank isn't right in front of a window, it's across from some big windows and gets several hours of direct sunlight depending on the time of year. I would prefer to place a reef somewhere where it gets direct sunlight if possible. While I don't necessarily believe it's a benefit as far as the tank, it adds hours of enjoyment to watching the reef.

01/13/2021, 06:36 AM	#13
lb013 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: PA Posts: 83	You will be fine. I used to have my 120 reef on a opposite wall from a large picture window that faced North for years with no issues.