Sunlight on tank

kattsue · 05/07/2008, 11:36 AM

This is probably a stupid question but why does it hurt to have sun shining on a tank?

corbett_n · 05/07/2008, 11:38 AM

it can promote bad algae growth, although i let morning sun in on my tank.

kattsue · 05/07/2008, 11:41 AM

So in the ocean, bad algae grows with the sun shining? Or is it just too much light with the tank lights and the sun?

joeychitwood · 05/07/2008, 01:03 PM

In the aquarium environment, the sunshine is usually too bright and induces a ton of algae growth. The appearance of a sun-drenched tank is also not as nice as it sounds. Every scratch on the glass, electrical wire and pump shows up much more prominently than in an overhead-lit tank.

stingythingy45 · 05/07/2008, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by joeychitwood
In the aquarium environment, the sunshine is usually too bright and induces a ton of algae growth. The appearance of a sun-drenched tank is also not as nice as it sounds. Every scratch on the glass, electrical wire and pump shows up much more prominently than in an overhead-lit tank.

But is it really bad to let the sun hit the tank for an hour in the morning?I have a picture window adjacent from the tank and it will get flooded with natural sunlight for about an hour in the morning if I open the drapes.

joeychitwood · 05/07/2008, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by stingythingy45
But is it really bad to let the sun hit the tank for an hour in the morning?I have a picture window adjacent from the tank and it will get flooded with natural sunlight for about an hour in the morning if I open the drapes.

No, that should not be a problem. I was speaking primarily about a tank in front of a window or one exposed to continuous sunlight.

The colors of the fish and corals seem to be much more intense under artificial lighting too.

dochou · 05/08/2008, 11:57 AM

Direct sunlight is not the problem according to experts.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...light=sunlight

blackthunda77 · 05/08/2008, 12:13 PM

i have a small pico tank that sits on my window sill. lit by strictly sunlight. my zoanthids and musrooms LOOOOVE it. i might though add a small supplemental light so that i can still veiw the tank later in the day. its on an east facing window and im in florida so after about 11-12 the sunlight is not really reaching it. ive noticed though that corals under natural sunlight....if theres no bad algea growing competing for nutrients and the temp doesnt swing too much the coral actually resoind VERY well to the natural sunlight.

skeletor121 · 05/08/2008, 12:33 PM

My tank gets a little direct light from the window for at most 1 hour a day. I have not noticed any negative results from the added natural light. The side that gets that light has mushrooms on it and they seem to like having that light. They also respond well to the MH I use for the normal light

Konadog · 05/08/2008, 01:11 PM

Besides algae growth on the glass (it will happen) I would be more concerned with temp swings. One hour probably won't do anything to a 100+ gallon tank, but smaller tanks may heat up a few degrees. Just keep an eye out for wide temp increases during the sunlit times and make your own decision.

styndall · 05/08/2008, 01:45 PM

I kept a 3-gallon on a table in the sun, and, in spite of ~8 degree temperature swings, the corals I kept grew phenomenally fast, and I never had any real trouble with algae. With this and some reading about tanks kept with natural light, I won't consider getting some sun in the tank anything but a good thing.

Michael · 05/08/2008, 02:03 PM

with a small tank in direct sunlight especially in a window i could imagine it getting quite warm if it was a hot summers day, im sure an hour or 2 in the morning is fine but a small tank on a window or very close to a window especially if closed could be costly i think to the fish and corals

blackthunda77 · 05/08/2008, 02:37 PM

well down here in florida we have the AC running alllllll day

so heating was not an issue

Michael · 05/08/2008, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by blackthunda77
well down here in florida we have the AC running alllllll day so heating was not an issue

well then thats ok and no problem for you, or me either as i live in 10 degree and rain vertually all year around, but the question about sunlight is still a worry for some i think

kattsue · 05/14/2008, 11:48 AM

I just looked in my posts and found all these answers. Thanks alot everyone for all the info.

05/07/2008, 11:36 AM	#1
kattsue Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 456	Sunlight on tank This is probably a stupid question but why does it hurt to have sun shining on a tank?

05/08/2008, 12:33 PM	#9
skeletor121 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Anchorage, AK Posts: 126	My tank gets a little direct light from the window for at most 1 hour a day. I have not noticed any negative results from the added natural light. The side that gets that light has mushrooms on it and they seem to like having that light. They also respond well to the MH I use for the normal light __________________ -Scott Marriage: "Yeah, we're both all in but she's freerolling for half." -Phil Gordon Current Tank Info: 60 gallon (plus sump) FOWLR, 30 Gallon reef, 55 gallon african cichlid

05/08/2008, 01:11 PM	#10
Konadog Master of the 16 hour day Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: East Long Beach, So Cal Posts: 13,151 Blog Entries: 4	Besides algae growth on the glass (it will happen) I would be more concerned with temp swings. One hour probably won't do anything to a 100+ gallon tank, but smaller tanks may heat up a few degrees. Just keep an eye out for wide temp increases during the sunlit times and make your own decision. __________________ Save the Reefs................................................................Save the world! -Ken Current Tank Info: Currently tankless, and loving it!

05/08/2008, 02:03 PM	#12
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	with a small tank in direct sunlight especially in a window i could imagine it getting quite warm if it was a hot summers day, im sure an hour or 2 in the morning is fine but a small tank on a window or very close to a window especially if closed could be costly i think to the fish and corals __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

05/08/2008, 02:37 PM	#13
blackthunda77 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: East Coast/West Coast Posts: 4,887	well down here in florida we have the AC running alllllll day so heating was not an issue __________________ - John *blackthunda stands for a black Mistubishi 3000GT with black rims I used to own. Don't get any funny ideas! Current Tank Info: 200 Gal custom tank with dual corner overflows, 80 gal custom sump/refugium, Neptune Apex controller, Dual Lumenmax Elite reflectors with 250 Radiums, SWC 160 Cone Skimmer, 2x Jebao WP-25....and some other stuff.

05/07/2008, 11:38 AM	#2
corbett_n Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SC Posts: 1,271	it can promote bad algae growth, although i let morning sun in on my tank.

05/07/2008, 11:41 AM	#3
kattsue Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 456	So in the ocean, bad algae grows with the sun shining? Or is it just too much light with the tank lights and the sun?

05/07/2008, 01:03 PM	#4
joeychitwood Schrödinger's Mod Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 3,488	In the aquarium environment, the sunshine is usually too bright and induces a ton of algae growth. The appearance of a sun-drenched tank is also not as nice as it sounds. Every scratch on the glass, electrical wire and pump shows up much more prominently than in an overhead-lit tank.

05/08/2008, 11:57 AM	#7
dochou Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Hillsborough, CA Posts: 564	Direct sunlight is not the problem according to experts. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...light=sunlight

05/08/2008, 12:13 PM	#8
blackthunda77 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: East Coast/West Coast Posts: 4,887	i have a small pico tank that sits on my window sill. lit by strictly sunlight. my zoanthids and musrooms LOOOOVE it. i might though add a small supplemental light so that i can still veiw the tank later in the day. its on an east facing window and im in florida so after about 11-12 the sunlight is not really reaching it. ive noticed though that corals under natural sunlight....if theres no bad algea growing competing for nutrients and the temp doesnt swing too much the coral actually resoind VERY well to the natural sunlight.

05/08/2008, 01:45 PM	#11
styndall Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 282	I kept a 3-gallon on a table in the sun, and, in spite of ~8 degree temperature swings, the corals I kept grew phenomenally fast, and I never had any real trouble with algae. With this and some reading about tanks kept with natural light, I won't consider getting some sun in the tank anything but a good thing.

05/14/2008, 11:48 AM	#15
kattsue Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 456	I just looked in my posts and found all these answers. Thanks alot everyone for all the info.