Only Naturally lit tank?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Oh, yeah. Since you have direct sunlight hitting the tank, make sure you get strong surface aggitation (air pumps, air stones) just to be sure your fish gets plenty of oxygen. Since heat depletes oxygen level in water. Just to be on safe side.

UV filtration could also help with algae issues
 
castro1212 said:
Just be careful with the seasonal temp rising and falling because it will cause the silicone to stretch and contract when placed in front of a window and eventually leak in years to come.


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Good call. Plus, UV rays also breaks down silicone
 
Fat Homer said:
Unless you are looking to start a planted tank im guessing you should be okay...

The only problem i could think of with direct sunlight hitting the tank other than algae issues, is the tank temp may raise just a little depending how warm it gets...


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I was having that issue in the summer, then I stitched (my moms a seamstress haha so I know how to do this) a white sheet w/ a sheet of tin foil in the middle on the other side of the curtains to help reflect heat, that seemed to help A LOT. My ten gallon was effected the worst, natural light falls on it from 2-4 pm and during the summer the heat raised to 85 by itself. Had the tank at 76-77 for breeding guppys. Surprisingly every guppy was fine n dandyy, didn't even lose fry.

I have been being careful about direct non filtered sunlight (like not through the curtain) and usually only let it hit the tank to take pictures.

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I mean as long as you have your bases covered, you should be fine... After all everyones shown the potential problems if its direct light, so i think its safe to say it will come down to personal preference how you want to light the tank...


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Sounds good thanks guys, just wanted to be sure, i know it breaks down silicone so i try to keep my room at a constant temp in the cold months and as constant as i can make it w/o AC in summer haha. Probably going to seal the one window its closest to

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The hyacinths need at least a few hours of direct sunlight, I have tried them on less lit tanks and they quickly wither away. Even on tanks with great sun, by winters end they look pretty ragged, so in summer they are in the pond, in fall most end up on the compost heap they multiply so quickly outdoors.

I have window refugiums that they do very well in, getting sun from 3 sides.


alexanian said:
Love that water hyacinth plants, I have to ask is there anything special they require? Do they need lots of light or is shaded room ok for them?
About direct sunlight, I have one tank that's in direct sunlight on the window and the algae is a PITA! The temps get high in summer, sometimes up to 32C, but the fish are fine and colors look nice.
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Fat Homer said:
Unless you are looking to start a planted tank im guessing you should be okay...
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This is so true ... I did try adding plants in my 55G at first with all the ambient light that was present in the room. Needless to say it didn't work out. It just wasn't enough light.

castro1212 said:
Just be careful with the seasonal temp rising and falling because it will cause the silicone to stretch and contract when placed in front of a window and eventually leak in years to come.
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OP I apologize for jumping on your thread here but I've got to ask something.
I know a bit about the whole silicone thing, but my region probably deals with more temperature fluctuations than most. Being in Canada we can see -40C (-40F) to +38C (100F) seasonally every year, and being in southern Alberta we have whats called Chinooks (strong warm winds) ... where drastic temperature changes can happen daily for days. Now I have one tank (29G) by 2 windows (only 1 can open). Both windows have great seals (nothings perfect but some windows seal better than others) and the blinds are normally closed. Our house never goes below 20C (not my choice ... my wife gets cold easily). I'm always concerned about a tank bursting/breaking/leaking as some are on the top floor of a 2 story house. So do I have enough deterrents in place to preserve the silicone or does it even make a difference?
 
UV is drastically reduced when passing thru a window.
I've never had an issue with tanks in direct sunlight thru windows, and mine have been set up for years.
I even put tanks outside during summer, where they get so much sun, you can barely see the fish thru the algae, and not had one burst, or even leak.
The pic below was from a 55 gal that sat in direct sunlight all summer, with temps that varied from lows at night of 45'F to late afternoon highs of 99'F

 
Well, that's actually incorrect. Regular clear glass will deflect most UVB but nearly all of UVA will go right through glass.

It takes a while(years) for uv to break down silicone or the plastic such as the tank's frame. It may take 20 or maybe 30 years depending on the exposure level, but none the less it is breaking it down. And heat absolutely does make solids contracts and expands. If I had a 300gal glass tank sitting in my house I wouldn't take the chance with sunlight exposure....not when you're dealing with that much volume of water and weight.......but that's just me.
 
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