Tank will have a 3D background, so not much if any sun light will pass through the back - only the sides of the tank. No one's home during the day, so the lights will only be on from 6 - 9 pm. Thoughts and experiences?
Placing Aquarium Directly In Front of the Window
- Thread starter Jumko
- Start date
Will your tank be planted?
The strength of Natural Sunlight is unpredictable, depending on many factors, including where you live, what direction the windows are facing, etc. I live in Jersey too, and had a big algae problem years ago due to many factors, but one was the Natural sunlight coming into my tank for a while, until I began controlling it by keeping the curtains closed. I've since gotten rid of the algae, and allow a little afternoon sunlight to come in for a few hours a day through an existing door window. It only hits one side of the tank, and the plants on that side grow very well...I have to think that it benefits them a little.
The strength of Natural Sunlight is unpredictable, depending on many factors, including where you live, what direction the windows are facing, etc. I live in Jersey too, and had a big algae problem years ago due to many factors, but one was the Natural sunlight coming into my tank for a while, until I began controlling it by keeping the curtains closed. I've since gotten rid of the algae, and allow a little afternoon sunlight to come in for a few hours a day through an existing door window. It only hits one side of the tank, and the plants on that side grow very well...I have to think that it benefits them a little.
If your tank is being hammered with direct sunlight for most of the day, IME, you will suffer huge algae issues. I would avoid the DSL at all costs. But that is me, your millage may vary
I have a 60 gallon tank in front of a window, but I keep the shutters closed most of the time. But, I have noticed that the small amount of indirect sunlight I do let it get really benefits the tank in that area. The plants grow the best in that aquarium.
tanker
Josh Holloway--Be mine!!!
Hi
I kept a planted 150 in a Greenhouse for several years Used no lights but planting continued up the wall above and on both sides of the tank Runaway my most siccesful planted tank. Heat was a problem but algae was not . You could always get some poster board to cover the sides if it becomes a problem?? gary
I kept a planted 150 in a Greenhouse for several years Used no lights but planting continued up the wall above and on both sides of the tank Runaway my most siccesful planted tank. Heat was a problem but algae was not . You could always get some poster board to cover the sides if it becomes a problem?? gary
Bah, I just can't find an appropriate spot for this aquarium other than in front of the window. I'm thinking of planting some sunset hygro and/or pennywort at the sides of the tank in hopes of them out-competing any algae.
Seems to me that the sun heating up the water would be an issue. Even though the back would be blocked from the light, the heat will still warm up the tank.
I have had problems with spot algae when direct sunlight hits it. On an unrelated issue please be aware that sunset hygro, hygrophila polypserms rosanervig, is highly invasive and is on the federally banned list.
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/weeds/downloads/weedlist.pdf
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/weeds/downloads/weedlist.pdf
Hm, didn't think of that. I unplug all of my heaters in the summer and we generally run an AC as well. I'm hoping it won't be too much of an issue, but I'll keep my eye on it when it starts to get warm. Maybe I should just cover the aquarium in a large cloth during the day lol.
Such a shame as it's a gorgeous plant, too. How is sunset hygro banned but duckweed isn't?