Keeg Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 So I'm going to assume that everyone knows that you shouldn't have your fish tank placed next to a window because of algae and such. We've all heard it from one place or another. And all I want to say is that it is such a shame that this is said about tanks. Generally this would be a good thought for people just getting into the hobby but like have you ever seen your tank lit up by actual sunshine? If you haven't, let me explain it. Your little ecosystem that you made is perfected for 1 hour of the day and nothing you can add to the tank can ever make it feel that complete again. 8 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taco Playz Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 Love the puffer! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 Sunlight is my favorite form of lighting. I would do it for all my tanks if I could. and and 9 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDukeAnumber1 Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 I totally agree, sunlight shows beauty I've never seen under artificial lighting and plants love it. It can come with challenges but IMO it's no more challenging than balancing artificial light. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mountaintoppufferkeeper Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 I agree. That puffer looks great in that light. I have the rack system where every tank gets about 30 minutes of direct sunlight from 5pm to 8pm or so this time of year. Pretty good indirect throughout the day. My fish and plants also seem to love it. They look better to me with that vitamin D shining on them from the "big orange ball". 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErinV Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 My new set up in the basement is getting about 1.5 hours of natural sunlight from the one and only small window (old house). When I first noticed this about a week ago, I just sat down and watched fish for 30min. The colour difference in the fish is amazing. The shadows in the tank just added to the texture and depth as well. Come winter it will not get any and I will miss it very much. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 I’ve also learned to love the sun on my tank 3 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 @Keeg, is that a Green Spotted Puffer? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fonske Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 That puffer knows he looks awesome :) I have two tiny tanks right next to a window with lots of afternoon sun. There is a bit of green spot algae, but a lot less than I expected and the plants, fish, and shrimp all seem to love the sunshine. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Peace Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 The puffer looks gorgeous in the sunlight. I don't know. There is something about the natural light coming into your aquarium that is just so appealing. I have a tank on a southern window. the plants in the tank start pearling whenever the sun starts to hit the tank. My neon tetras have almost an iridescent glow when placed in the sun! Though its quite a pain to balance it. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guppysnail Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 On 8/3/2021 at 8:21 AM, Keeg said: So I'm going to assume that everyone knows that you shouldn't have your fish tank placed next to a window because of algae and such. We've all heard it from one place or another. And all I want to say is that it is such a shame that this is said about tanks. Generally this would be a good thought for people just getting into the hobby but like have you ever seen your tank lit up by actual sunshine? If you haven't, let me explain it. Your little ecosystem that you made is perfected for 1 hour of the day and nothing you can add to the tank can ever make it feel that complete again. I love that you said this. All my tanks get 1-2 hours at different times of the day. It is spectacular and probably healthier for aquatic life in general to at least get a bit. Your little puffer is adorable! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobbit Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 (edited) The area in our house that my husband graciously gifted me to fill with tanks is, unfortunately, quite far from any window. It’s really the only downside about that spot. I love natural light on fish tanks!! Edited August 3, 2021 by Hobbit 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PineSong Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 Yes, sunlight on plants, fish, and water is pretty magical. I'd imagine it is for the fish, too. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keeg Posted August 3, 2021 Author Share Posted August 3, 2021 On 8/3/2021 at 8:51 AM, Patrick_G said: @Keeg, is that a Green Spotted Puffer? He's a spotted congo puffer, completely fresh water 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keeg Posted August 3, 2021 Author Share Posted August 3, 2021 On 8/3/2021 at 8:54 AM, Fonske said: That puffer knows he looks awesome 🙂 I have two tiny tanks right next to a window with lots of afternoon sun. There is a bit of green spot algae, but a lot less than I expected and the plants, fish, and shrimp all seem to love the sunshine. Oh for sure, he's such a show boat lol 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 On 8/3/2021 at 12:00 PM, Keeg said: He's a spotted congo puffer, completely fresh water Same as a Shoutedeni? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odd Duck Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 15 of 21 tanks get some natural sun (if I also count the 4 culture tanks, wait 5 if you count my new green water jar as a tank and that makes it 22 tanks, lol!). Pic is of my favorite for sun/light. This isn’t the perfect angle on the light, I’ll work on that. This is the 75 gallon in my sig. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keeg Posted August 3, 2021 Author Share Posted August 3, 2021 On 8/3/2021 at 12:03 PM, Patrick_G said: Same as a Shoutedeni? Yep 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griznatch Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 Love all the sunlight pictures!! My wife's 55 gets sunlight in morning from one window and and some in afternoon from the other. The fish and the shrimp love it! pretty sure the plants do too 🙂 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Streetwise Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 Some of my favorite tanks are no-tech tanks in north-facing windows. With other directions, at least in the northern hemisphere, you might have more variables and seasonal drama. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrozenFins Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 Would love to start a window tank! I just dont have space by a window for one. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Streetwise Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 @James Black, you are further north, so you might have more available windows. I also keep a west-facing 1.25 tank, with a bit of a shadow, and a low-power light. Ignore the bucket of staging. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_ Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 I am glad that I ignored the advice I have read in books to keep your aquariums away from windows. I do think that it works best in a planted tank ecosystem. All four of my tanks receive natural light from north facing windows and can definitely handle the colder winter months. I love watching the summer sunrise through the tanks! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrozenFins Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 @StreetwiseYeah I do have a lot of windows, especially in our living room. However the window has couches and stuff by it, no place for an aquarium. All though there is one window that I may see myself using in the future. It is right above my communtiy tank. I have though about perhaps making a racking system of muscel racks, one rack woud be high enough to reach the winow. And I dont know if I trust any of my window cells enough to hold an aquairum long term. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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