View Full Version : Is sunlight bad for tanks?
After a few years of freshwater fish rearing, I noticed that tanks that get direct sunlight always clouds and algae comes about pretty soon. Is there a way to allow tanks to bask in direct sunlight (hence without need for lighting to be on during the day) and not be affected by algae?:confused:
aquariumfishguy
07-21-2003, 9:04 PM
I have sun light moderately entering my tanks and they do not get attacked by algae. :confused: I would say try it out if thats the only place to put your tank(S).
NJ Devils Fan
07-21-2003, 9:35 PM
Sunlight in tanks is a common cause for algae. I would move the tank from the sunlight and get a light.
slipknottin
07-21-2003, 9:38 PM
sunlight doesnt cause algae.
excess nutrients plus light cause algae.
Keep the nutrients (nitrates, phosphates, silicates) low and you will never have algae problems. A tank with live plants will outcompete the algae for these nutrients preventing the algae from growing, and there are numerous other ways to control these nutrients.
perhaps another point to note is i am living near the Equatorial belt and whereas most people in this forum are residing in temperate zones.
humidity hovers around 95% here and temperature ranges from 28 degrees celsius to 32 degrees.
a good local site you might wanna check out is http://www.arowanaclub.com/
lotsa relevant info for ppl living in the tropics with arowanas.
cheers :D
scott
07-21-2003, 10:05 PM
The whole back side of my house is one long window and none of my tanks on the first floor have algae. The front room tank is also infront of a window and gets direct sunlight as well. So do the tanks in the bedroom, oh and the one next to the picture window in the bathroom. None of them have excessive algae. Like slip said its caused by excessive nutrients.
Can someone fill me in. If algae is underwater what would humidity have to do with it? Wouldn't the humidity be 100 percent all of the time? And ambient air temp? If my tank is heated to 79 degrees what would it matter if the room was 30, or 100, as long as the tank was 79?:confused:
I'm with slipknottin & scott. Excess nutrients and light are required for algae. Control either and you have no problem.
Yep...I agree. My Frontosa tank gets sunlight from a window above it. It shines down on the surface of the water and creates an awesome shimmering effect on the rocks and substrate. Not to mention the fact that it shows off the fronts colors better than any commercial light I've ever used. I get a slight haze of algea on one side of the tank, but it comes off easy during water changes. With the exception of fry tanks, or tanks in which I am conditioning pairs for breeding, display tanks only get 1 feeding per day. It doesnt freak me out if I forget a feeding or two.
mogurnda
07-22-2003, 8:28 AM
In her Ecology of Planted Aquariums, Diana Walstad sings the praises of natural sunlight. In my tanks that get it, sunlight can be quite pretty. It's the first light that the corals in the nano see in the morning, and they perk right up. Just can't figure out how to turn it back on after I get home from work at night.
NJ Devils Fan
07-22-2003, 8:31 AM
Hey, I'm just going on what people have said here many times. It hasn't happened to me so I wouldn't know, but I really can't say how many times people say that they have algae and someone else says to move their tank so its not in the sun, and the person does it and the algae is gone.
NJDF - the fact that something is suggested on the boards routinely does not make it true. A tank with excess nutrients is algae-prone anywhere. Which do you consider easier, regular water changes or moving tanks? Many posts concerning algae do not have direct sunlight - certainly an overloaded insuffiently monitored tank in sun can have algae, but the sun is not the problem, the nutrients are the problem. It is always better to deal with the underlying problem rather than its symptoms. Algae is a symptom of excess or unbalanced nutrients in the water.
NJ Devils Fan
07-22-2003, 9:25 AM
I understand that and I'm not arguing, I'm just saying that this is what was said countless times and I though that was what was the problem.
aquariumfishguy
07-22-2003, 9:55 AM
RTR, you nailed it head on! I have 80% of my tanks in sunlight and they do not have algae problems what-so-ever. I feed my fish well, but do not allow excess food to fall to the bottom of the tank and waste. I do weekly water changes on ALL my tanks which is a weekend long process and gravel vacuum all tanks regularly.
Keeping algae away is really quite simple. ;)
ive had problems with algae in my tank, the tank is between two windows, the lights are only on about 3 hours a day mostly in the evening.
i cleaned tank & changed water over 2 week period, about half the water both times, and i put foil over sides of tank, only the sides and it hasent reapeard, it was the sun coming through the east facing windows. nedh
Fisher Price
07-22-2003, 12:09 PM
I have a 20 gal. Molly tank in front of a window to encourage algae growth because it is one of their favorite foods. I do have to use a magnetic scraper about once a month to scrape any excess algae off the tank glass that is too tough for them to nibble off. Besides that they seem so much happier playing in the bright sun lit water.
anonapersona
07-22-2003, 3:53 PM
I figure that the real problem is that people who are having algae issues and have sunlight do not add those lighting hours together to see how much light the tank is getting.
Sun up at 5 AM.... tank lights on until what 7PM, 9PM, 1AM?
14, 16, or 20 hours of light a day is a lot of energy.
aquariumfishguy
07-22-2003, 4:24 PM
The sun comes up at about 6:30 here and I don't know anyone who leaves there lights on until 1 am but O.K. I'll try to go with it...:D
aquariumfishguy
07-22-2003, 4:27 PM
PS: Remember, unless your tank is surrounded by glass walls, the sun does not enter your tank at all times of the day. Example: a South-West facing window is not going to get sunlight in the morning. ;)
Just a thought...
125gJoe
07-22-2003, 7:16 PM
"Is sunlight bad for tanks?"
No. Uncontrolled sunlight and heat is...
In my opinion (that's all, just from what I've seen..), an aquarium should not be kept in sunlight. I believe that there are 'experts' out there that can "get away" with a sunlit tank and be successful. But, why try and figure out what Mother Nature is planning?? Will it be cloudy for several days, then bright - extreme sunlight for a week?
Get proper lighting for your tank situation. And (IMO), keep your aquariums away from sunlit windows.....
beviking
07-22-2003, 8:06 PM
It's true! It's true! Xs nutrients + light are the cause. I never had a prob w/algae and I have skylights and direct sun through a bow window too! Then (being the brilliant aquarist I am!) I thought maybe I was under-feeding my fish (I had added some more) so I started adding 2 xtra feedings a week (I only feed M,W,F 1/day, sometimes a weekend day too) and lo and behold, algae began covering everything! I cut back on feeding and the algae cleared up. The only thing I ever cleaned was the glass.
BTW "brilliant aquarist" was in jest and my tank humidity is 100%, temp is 74 in winter, 78 in summer.;)
kveeti
07-23-2003, 7:51 AM
I just can't get over scott having a "picture window in the bathroom".
I just can't get over scott having a "picture window in the bathroom".
"Throw out the paper, blow up the TV, move to the country, and build yourself a home."
One of my more favorite country songs, if I could just remember who wrote it. There is nothing like being able to sit in a jucuzzi tub and look out into the backyard. :) I might rethink the scenario if I could see my neighbors.;)
Edit: My wife can't get over the fact that I have a fishtank in the bathroom!:D
Stuart Watson
07-23-2003, 9:18 AM
Hello,
Jumping on the bandwagon as really another reply is not needed as all you good people have answered it already!!
Sunlight and natural light and tubes are only likely to cause algae when the water is overstocked with nutrients, and regular water changes, scant and sparse feeding and water testing is the cure.
I see it that sunlight is natural, food-induces nutrient in tanks is man-made. In nature the rivers are not algae'd up, only where slow running water causes high levels of natures nutrients to build up.
Those whose tanks get algae'd up in the sun are most certainly overfeeding without meaning too (crystal clear water that smells slightly off is proof of correct feeding as the water has no debris and the smell is the good bacteria eating the nutrients up into eventually nitrates etc.). Once out the sun the algae goes although nutrient levels remain high.
Let's face it, these forums will tell you feed once a day if not every other day, and only what they eat in, say 2 minutes, although I say fast feeding fish can be done in 30 seconds. Skim-off the debris straight-away after this time to prevent excessive nutrient-making ability. The fish food you buy says feed 2 or 3 times a day for 2 minutes but hey, they want you to buy a product that lasts a long time if fed one a day!!
29gallonsteve
07-23-2003, 10:24 AM
I am having a recurring problem with a few types of alga...here is the issue.
I have a moderately stocked 29gallon planted tank...
As a result, my NO3 is always at 10ppm. I was testing a few dosing schedules and followed a number of recommendations on dosing. Found that, with the exception of K, Fe and Micros, I didn't need to dose after all!!!
The fish food was providing what the plants needed.
When I set up the tank about a year ago, I chose the wrong place for it...next to a west-facing window :(
The ONLY time I have had green water problems is when I over dosed the ferts. The two times I have had GW problems have been: 1) July and 2) November...
This is 2 different times of the year. I am in the NE US, so length of days are a lot different and so is temperature.
The ONLY common thread is that I was doing some experimental (translated: heavy) dosing and filter changes before the GW outbreak...
Still trying to get the July outbreak under control...
Anyone have a diatom filter they are willing to lend me for a week?
Thanks,
Steve
LOL @Steve! Been there, done that, but will not wear the T-shirt. :)
My LFS rents out a Diatomagic filter. It will clear the tank is short order. Check with the independent LFS in your area for similar posibilities.
29gallonsteve
07-23-2003, 2:39 PM
RTR,
If you ever get up to Delaware, let me know, I will have you come by and critique my tank...(bring your diatom filter) ha ha...
Thanks,
Steve
I'll do that. I go by at times on the way to NY (twice so far this year), but I have only been there once in my life - many years ago, to do a plant lecture, not aquatic.
Pink Pat
07-30-2003, 9:34 AM
Isn't heat the biggest problem you are likely to face with having an aquarium exposed to direct sunlight? It seems that sunlight could/would heat up a small body of water rather quickly.
PP
beviking
07-31-2003, 11:33 AM
Yes Pat, that is a concern.
BTW, Life is tougher when your stupid, but when you're ignorant, it's actually easier!;) Don't ask how I know;)
tricksterpup
08-01-2003, 2:55 PM
Originally posted by beviking
BTW, Life is tougher when your stupid, but when you're ignorant, it's actually easier!;) Don't ask how I know;)
Hey, I resemble that remark.. ;)
Well the last few months, i have had a couple of new tanks in a room that is extremly well lite. So far no problems with any alage. Biggest tank in that small room are 2 5 gallon planted tanks. Both are doing very well.
jim