using natural lighting?

[zombiepiccer16]

Hi,

I'm new to the forum and just wanted some advise. I have been keeping three freshwater tank in my house very happily for 3 years now and wanted to start keeping marines. The only spot I have is in the kitchen and need some advise because it will hopefully be supported on one of the work surfaces. (You will have to imagine it with out the glass cabinet on top) I was think of a small 160 gallon tank and need to know if the work surface will support it well enough I don't want it collapsing on me! Also there is a big window directly above the work surface and was wonder if it would cause problems keeping the tank under it. Or will it be a blessing in descise ( i.e. using the sun light instead of using aquarium lighting?) I have included some pictures of the unit. I'm pretty sure that the unit is strong enough but would like advise. Also any advise on reef keeping in general would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks in advance


Kris

 

[kraze3]

Personally I wouldnt trust it. Those units are made to hold dishes, picture frames, small knick knacks and such. They arent made to hold a 160 gallon fish tank that weighs over 1200 pounds. Your much safer building a sturdy stand from 2x4s. There are many threads on this in the DIY forum. A few pictures of the inside will help me to be able to say yes or no for sure but as a contractor that doesnt look like it will support the weight.

The natural lighting wont hurt anything. Many reefers are trying to save on electricity costs and installing tubes through their roofs that reflect sunlight into their tanks.

Before jumping into salt I would recommend reading some of the stickies at the top of this forum by Waterkeeper. There is alot of information there. Read through them then come back with any and all questions for answers.

and

[welcome]

 

[tastingSalty]

I can't speak objectively on the use of natural light, but natural light on my tank has increased the growth of nuisance algaes (such as diatoms) and has also posed a difficulty in keeping the temperature stable when natural light is not constantly on the aquarium.

 

[Aquarist007]

Have a look at this thread:

I've been getting great results with natural sunlight:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1585798

 

[WaterKeeper]

Usually heat is the issue with a tank that gets natural light. That would be dependant of where you live, what direction the window faces and the amount of time it receives full sunlight in mid-summer. Of course, a blind or shade on the window can overcome those problems if there is one.

I'm kind of with kraze on the kitchen cabinet. A 160 holds 1368 lbs of saltwater alone and will probably weigh closer to 1600 lbs when set up with rock and sand. I'd be leery of placing it on a cabinet not designed for that type of weight.

 

[reefscape15]

I'm pretty much in agreement on everyone with the stand, but as far as using natural light, you may still want some supplimental lighting because natural sunlight will leave you with a kind of yellowish hue in your tank, and will not make the colors of fish or corals come out like you are used to seeing. I do think it would be very benneficial to have that window above your tank, but you will more than likely not care for the color it gives you

 

[reefscape15]

oops! I forgot to mention that you could add more support to that cabinet with extra 2x4s and if you had enough then you could keep that for your tank stand. It is a nice looking cabinet

 

[WaterKeeper]

BTW Chris-I hope you don't mind but I got rid of that duplicate thread.

 

[zombiepiccer16]

Thanks guys for the great responses!

That space is basically the only one I have left in the house and the wife won't let me get rid of the kitchen cabinet! The idea the reefscape15 posted about reinforcing the cabinet with 2x4's is very interesting.... Would it work ?

 

[Aquarist007]

do you know the maker of that cabinet? When I was comtemplating moving a tank to a cabinet I asked the manufacturer and they were willing to add support where needed for the weight of the tank.

 

[reefscape15]

You could put a 4x4 on each corner and in the middle front and back, then just cut 2x4 to fit in between the 4x4 and attach with some screws. The 2x4s will transfer the weight to the 4x4s which will be more than enough to support your tank. It may be difficult to get the pieces cut to the right size so they will fit tight up to the top of the cabinet and the floor. Just make sure if you do this that the 4x4s are resting on the floor and not just the bottom of the cabinet. Pics of the inside would help for better explination