Direct sun light ???????

[DREW]

Just wanted to know if direct sun light hitting the tank a few hours a day would be a good or bad thing, most the expensive lighting is trying to imitate the sunlight , right ?

When I set my 15 gal. up a couple months ago ( FW then switching to SW now ) I did not realize until after I had already set it up that in the early evening hours the sun is hitting directly on the tank. I had no probs w/ this in the FW set up, will this cause any probs in a SW set up ????

 

[caz]

maybe just an algae problem, but, i dont think it will be a major problem if its only for a few hours.

 

[mogurnda]

I bet you won't see much of an effect either way. How is the tank temperature. I'd worry a little more about things heating up than the extra light.

 

[DREW]

Well right now I'm filling it & draining it to rinse the sand a bit. It's just now starting to warm up around here, didn't have any temp probs when it was a FW set up but there was still snow on the ground then. I could just close the blinds or if I really had to I could move it.

 

[skippy2]

Mine gets direct sunlight for an hr. or so (when the sun is out!!!) with no ill effects.

 

[Ray Pollett]

Heat problems are the only one I know of. I try to get my tanks in sunlight for part of the day. Better and cheaper than our lighting fixtures.

Ray

 

[DREW]

Thanks a lot for the replys guys.

So , can the sunlight replace some of these over priced lights ?

I will keep a close eye on the temp this summer, this tank is upstairs & I've notice it is a little warmer up there during the day. Thank god for central air.

 

[Ray Pollett]

Originally posted by DREW

So , can the sunlight replace some of these over priced lights ?

It is possible, but the heat issue realy becomes more likely if the sunlight hits the tank for the full day; unless you have a chiller. What I try for is 2 - 4 hours a day. That is time you may be able to leave some of the tank lights off and save Electricity. Plus IMO sunlight is better light than anything we buy and put over our tanks.

Ray

 

[mogurnda]

The problem is that you can't control sunlight. The intensity and duration are not up to you. You will still need good lights, although sunlight may supplement it.