Hello everyone, so I have run out of room in my house with my 55 gallon and 20 gallon already set up. My father in law just gave me his old 90 gallon with Sump and I set it up in my screened in porch. I live on the east coast of Florida (Cocoa) and am concerned about algae growth as i seem to be reading everywhere. My porch faces south so lo direct sunlight gets to it. Has anyone successfully kept a tank in such a situation with success? or should i just tear it down and find another place for it? Also I am trying to decide what to stock it with and would be comfortable with some temp fluctuations, though no stocking will happen until I am safe from crazy algae growth. Thanks for all the help everyone!!
Outdoor Aquarium in Florida
- Thread starter passon13
- Start date
Even if you setup your tank in the shade you still get crazy algae grow, I've said before that my dad put his tank in the patio and it barely get any sun light, the tank still covered up with algae all 4 sides and it's very thick too, you are fighting a total loss battle with algae lol
I agree with Yuki, algae is just a fact of life.
For me, Uruguayan fish were best for my outside tanks, they had crazy temp fluctuations, and the Uruguayans took it all well. The temps in Uruguay are at times very similar to Florida
Australiheros did very well outside in a tank, and the fry did fine only eating the algae
Gymnogeophagus also did well
Gymno quilero above (AKA Yerbalito)
below Gymno Paso Pache
There are plenty of other Uruguayan fish species to choose from, check out at
Aqva Terra - Eco-Travels - Cichlids - Snakes
For me, Uruguayan fish were best for my outside tanks, they had crazy temp fluctuations, and the Uruguayans took it all well. The temps in Uruguay are at times very similar to Florida
Australiheros did very well outside in a tank, and the fry did fine only eating the algae
Gymnogeophagus also did well
Gymno quilero above (AKA Yerbalito)
below Gymno Paso Pache
There are plenty of other Uruguayan fish species to choose from, check out at
Aqva Terra - Eco-Travels - Cichlids - Snakes
Thanks for the info guys. I'm going to tear it down and convince the wife that it'll look good inside lol
You'd have to block ~95% or more of light getting to the tank. That's the shade cloth grade I use for my tanks in a pavilion and I have no algae.
You my or may not get away with a less heavy shade but you'd need to experiment.
You could shade the tank or the whole porch.
Algae need only three things - warmth, nutrients and light. One can only eliminate the light.
You my or may not get away with a less heavy shade but you'd need to experiment.
You could shade the tank or the whole porch.
Algae need only three things - warmth, nutrients and light. One can only eliminate the light.
U can do a tank with an American bullfrog and then some small expendable fish like convicts,dollar sunfish etc
Maybe co2 injection would help on that tank if you still have to keep it outside? Get loads of live plants with fertilizers and it should outcompete the algae for nutrients. I have T5HO lighting though, not sure how the natural sunlight would be with co2 haha.
Since the tank is 90 gallons you could also do a large school of otos (if you have fish that won't eat them, they are tiny) or a school of siamese algae eaters (they get about 6 inches). They keep the tank clean of any fluffy green stuff and the SAE's will even eat black brush algae which is a big pain in the butt.
Since the tank is 90 gallons you could also do a large school of otos (if you have fish that won't eat them, they are tiny) or a school of siamese algae eaters (they get about 6 inches). They keep the tank clean of any fluffy green stuff and the SAE's will even eat black brush algae which is a big pain in the butt.
I wouldn't consider convicts "expendable" The only thing expendable in this instance is your comment.
I am going to save myself the hassle and move into the spare room today. I did some measuring and the tank is actually a 75gal not a 90gal as it is just over 21in in height. Misinformation from my father in law haha now to decide what to put in it. thanks for all the help everyone. I post a pic later once i re set it up