Tank in direct sunlight

Fish33 · 03-03-2005, 10:17 AM

Are there reasons that this is bad other than encouraging algae and possibly messing with the temperature of the tank? When I got my larger tank I moved the smaller one across the room and as the season is changing, I'm noticing that it is in the sun for about half the day. It hasn't affected the temperature, and I don't mind the algae (keeps my pleco on his toes). What other problems can this cause though??

**Fishfirst** · 03-03-2005, 10:47 AM

really overheating is the only problem besides the algae... direct sunlight is actually good for your fish because of vitamin D and all.

**fish_doc** · 03-03-2005, 11:07 AM

Overheating is the only real problem you will notice. It may not be a problem now but when summer hits and the room temps start to soar is when you will notice it. Even if you run the air aquariums tend to be warmer in the summer than in the winter. One way to keep the heat down is not to run any lights on the tank since it already has plenty of natural light.

Some fish will develop deeper colors in natural sunlight than what they would under the tubes.

Fish33 · 03-03-2005, 11:25 AM

Just what I was hoping to hear!! I actually think that the tank won't be in the sun as much in the summer as it is now. Plus I seem to have a hard time keeping the tank above 72 or so, and this has been helping. The heater still works, but I think it might be extremely sensitive and no matter how much I tweak it, I can't keep it right! (yes, I know thats not good

). For some reason, I thought I had heard that it was really bad.. Oh well Thanks!

**fish_doc** · 03-03-2005, 12:02 PM

I would keep a eye on that heater. Not heating enough is one thing but if it were to stick on you could do some harm to your fish by extreamly overheating the tank.

Fish33 · 03-03-2005, 01:22 PM

I've had it for a couple of years now, it won't seem to stay on long enough is usually the problem. The tank has never went over 79 though.

**Scuba Kid** · 03-03-2005, 04:14 PM

i dont see any real problem besides algae and over heating. but if u dont mind the algae, then just keep a good eye on the temp of the water.
what fish are in that tank? (just curious

)

Fish33 · 03-03-2005, 10:59 PM

Well, unfortunately some were bought without doing research

, but all is well so far.
Its a 35 gallon tank, there are:
1 molly
3 platy fry who are really no longer fry
a common pleco
a rainbow shark (very peaceful still, and a decent size)
2 fancy male guppys
5 serpae tetras
4 black tetras
I'm on the search for a BIG tank to house the list above and the fish I have in my 60 gallon.

03-03-2005, 10:17 AM	#1
Fish33 Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 35	Tank in direct sunlight Are there reasons that this is bad other than encouraging algae and possibly messing with the temperature of the tank? When I got my larger tank I moved the smaller one across the room and as the season is changing, I'm noticing that it is in the sun for about half the day. It hasn't affected the temperature, and I don't mind the algae (keeps my pleco on his toes). What other problems can this cause though??

03-03-2005, 10:47 AM	#2
Fishfirst Fish Guru Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Northern Wisconsin Age: 24 Posts: 3,541	really overheating is the only problem besides the algae... direct sunlight is actually good for your fish because of vitamin D and all. __________________ 210 Gal Reef w/ 55 Gallon Sump/Fuge, 125 Gal Fish Only, 65 Gal Seahorse-29 Gallon Sump, 55 Gal FOWLR, 54 Gal Corner FW Community, 20 Gal Nano FOWLR, 55 Gal Piranha, 29 gallon QT "All the yellow tangs and clownfish in the world can't save you now! hahahah" Peter from Family Guy

03-03-2005, 11:07 AM	#3
fish_doc Advisor to Neptune (Mod) Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Northern Illinois Age: 40 Posts: 3,834	Re: Tank in direct sunlight Overheating is the only real problem you will notice. It may not be a problem now but when summer hits and the room temps start to soar is when you will notice it. Even if you run the air aquariums tend to be warmer in the summer than in the winter. One way to keep the heat down is not to run any lights on the tank since it already has plenty of natural light. Some fish will develop deeper colors in natural sunlight than what they would under the tubes. __________________ Dave (fish_doc) A World of fish

03-03-2005, 11:25 AM	#4
Fish33 Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 35	Re: Tank in direct sunlight Just what I was hoping to hear!! I actually think that the tank won't be in the sun as much in the summer as it is now. Plus I seem to have a hard time keeping the tank above 72 or so, and this has been helping. The heater still works, but I think it might be extremely sensitive and no matter how much I tweak it, I can't keep it right! (yes, I know thats not good ). For some reason, I thought I had heard that it was really bad.. Oh well Thanks!

03-03-2005, 12:02 PM	#5
fish_doc Advisor to Neptune (Mod) Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Northern Illinois Age: 40 Posts: 3,834	Re: Tank in direct sunlight I would keep a eye on that heater. Not heating enough is one thing but if it were to stick on you could do some harm to your fish by extreamly overheating the tank. __________________ Dave (fish_doc) A World of fish

Members currently in the Chat:8
	Users In Chat Room: mesapod, WildForFish, Buggy, JustOneMore20, lohachata, Ricker, wm_crash, Suess00 Come On In!

03-03-2005, 01:22 PM	#6
Fish33 Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 35	Re: Tank in direct sunlight I've had it for a couple of years now, it won't seem to stay on long enough is usually the problem. The tank has never went over 79 though.

03-03-2005, 04:14 PM	#7
Scuba Kid Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: RI Age: 18 Posts: 4,221	i dont see any real problem besides algae and over heating. but if u dont mind the algae, then just keep a good eye on the temp of the water. what fish are in that tank? (just curious ) __________________ Current setups: 1800 gallon koi pond, 10 gallon planted, 150 gallon reef, other FOWLR tanks

03-03-2005, 10:59 PM	#8
Fish33 Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 35	Re: Tank in direct sunlight Well, unfortunately some were bought without doing research , but all is well so far. Its a 35 gallon tank, there are: 1 molly 3 platy fry who are really no longer fry a common pleco a rainbow shark (very peaceful still, and a decent size) 2 fancy male guppys 5 serpae tetras 4 black tetras I'm on the search for a BIG tank to house the list above and the fish I have in my 60 gallon.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Important Basics For Sw Newbies.	hail_sniper	Beginner Saltwater	18	03-21-2008 07:57 AM
Funny, informative, or just plain sad?	TheOldSalt	FYI (For Your Info)	17	07-29-2007 04:33 PM
Article: Setting Up a Saltwater Tank	Fishfirst	Profile & Article Discussions	10	08-15-2006 04:49 AM
Article: Which fish/invert/coral to choose?	Fishfirst	Profile & Article Discussions	2	08-15-2006 04:37 AM
My "All-Star" Tank... Will it Work?	John	General Freshwater	20	09-11-2005 08:17 PM