Tank placement...

[pdiehm]

I know where my tank is going to be, one little problem arose on Saturday that I noticed. Our foyer window...for about an hour, about 1/4 of the tank will get some sunlight. It will not be direct sunlight. It's as the sun passes over the house from about 11-12:00 or so. It'll only be in the winter months as the sun sits lower.

How big of a problem is this going to be? We're talking a small sliver of the tank exposed to the indirect sunlight rays.

 

[RocketEngineer]

The end of mine is exposed to sunlight most of the year for a few hours each morning. I use that as the start point for my lighting. I have more algae growth on that end of the tank but the snails keep the coralline algae in check. With proper husbandry it shouldn't be a problem as long as it doesn't impact temperature.

 

[pdiehm]

I don't think it'll affect temperature given the indirectness of the light. If push comes to shove, I can cover that part up with a towel.

I like the idea of starting that as the light cycle though. lights on at say 12, off or really ramped down at 10pm.

 

[primo21]

i get sunlight on the end of my tank for the better part of the day. the big box home stores sell film used for windows that filter out light. was getting some good algae growth on that end and after i put the film on it really cut down the growth. also better looking than a towel.

 

[SGT_York]

So long as nutrients are in check it won't be an issue. If you get algae growth there it's because light is your limiting factor not nutrients. (there will always be some algae growth) There are a great many tanks that get direct sunlight and it's not an issue.

Freshwater tanks and FOWLR tanks it is a major deal breaker. (high nutrient tanks)