How close is too close to a window

[1littlefishy]

I'm still in the planning stages of my new reef tank and am wondering about tank placement in the house. The best place I have for it is near a window. I wish I had a better place for it, but that's where the wife wants it. What does everyone think?

Some other info, I'm in Michigan (northern U.S.). It's a north facing window and the tank would never get direct sunlight. I do have shades I could close on part of the window.

 

[PeterHall]

I put my 300 gallon right in front of a window. Perfect for when I need to access the back of the tank. I then tinted the window so I didn't see all the junk and the tank didn't get full sun.

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[billdogg]

IMHO, it will depend on what direction the window faces. If it's south or west you will have more issues than if it's north or east. Then there is the winter months (if it gets cold where you are).

I would try to convince her that there are better places if it were me. Not that it can't be done, just that it can create a number of problems that can be avoided.

 

[ca1ore]

I believe there are these new things known as window blinds :lol:. I had a reef tank right under a window, and my current tank or right next to a sliding door. No issues with the use of blinds.

 

[wrott]

I know most people advise to keep aquariums away from sunlight, but if blinds are used properly you can grow algae on one side of the tank and use it for nutrient export--snails, tangs, etc...
It depends on your light schedule. My lights don't turn on until 4pm, so direct sunlight is no good--unless i want insomniac fish!
Windows don't matter is the point. GL w/ the new tank.

 

[Artthorn]

So, is it a good idea, placing it in front of a window?

 

[WayneDante]

I think that it is better to not place in a front of window.

 

[Sk8r]

Algae and cyanobacteria (red slime) thrive in sunlight, and while lowering phosphate will stop the algae, with cyano, not so much. Best curtain the window permanently or put the tank where no window light ever reaches it. The more parameters you can completely control (in a good direction) in a tank, the fewer problems you will have.

 

[cody6766]

If it's a good window that keeps the heat/cold out, and you can block the light with curtains or similar means, it's not any different than a wall. If it's a single pane window you'll have to make sure your heater can overcome the cold seep. If you can't block the light, you will have algae issues, at least on the glass.

When I had my tank running in Alaska, the side caught a lot of sunlight from a south-facing window. I had 2-3 times the film algae growth on that panel, but no ill effects on the sand or rock.

A tank on a window is not an absolute no-no, but you do have to account for the light and temp issues that could arise.

 

[Assapax]

Well, actually it is advised to keep the aquarium away from sunlight. However, I have kept my aquarium next to a window, for like my entire life, and everything is ok. Actually, there are a lot of ... variables, a lot of things that the aquarium is dependent on. It is not only the sunlight, it is the light in general, and many other thing. Despite the fact that it is next to a window, it is a darker corner in there. Maybe it is due to the fact that I got some really great sliding sash windows Ireland, and they kind of keep the sunlight really nice.

 

[Timfish]

Direct sunlight will make it a challenge to keep a lot of stuff so I'd avoid that. For a smaller tank heat may be the primary issue for a larger tank many corals adjust their fluorescing and chromo proteins to the light spectrum they're getting and sunlight will shift those colors and some corals will not like the additional yellow and red wavelengths or the seasonal changes in the amount of sunlight recieved. If the tank is not going to get direct sunlight I don't see a problem with it being very close to a window

 

[andrewkw]

While this tank isn't right in front of a window, it's across from some big windows and gets several hours of direct sunlight depending on the time of year. I would prefer to place a reef somewhere where it gets direct sunlight if possible. While I don't necessarily believe it's a benefit as far as the tank, it adds hours of enjoyment to watching the reef.

 

[lb013]

You will be fine. I used to have my 120 reef on a opposite wall from a large picture window that faced North for years with no issues.