Do I Need Lighting?

[Clarousel]

I think the elodea is dying. The bottom bits are quite yellow and I was moving the stems around today when a few just broke off.

I just came home and 2 long stems have broken off, I think from fish nibble at them. Sigh.

 

[micko]

In answer to your question, no, lighting is not needed. I have a tank about 4inches below a window, sitting on a kitchen work top. The plants thrive, no dosing of this or that, no co2 and not even a lid. No sign of algae and its been running now for a few months.
The plants in the tank are actually growing out of the water and have to trim now every few days.
I have a number of red cherry shrimp in there so this may be a reason why no algae has ever shown.

I think you need to think out your plan more and become aware of places what get mostly daylight. Mine gets full daylight after 12.30pm until it gets dark.

Its worth a try, if it doesn't work out for you then its not a massive job to move.

 

[Clarousel]

In answer to your question, no, lighting is not needed. I have a tank about 4inches below a window, sitting on a kitchen work top. The plants thrive, no dosing of this or that, no co2 and not even a lid. No sign of algae and its been running now for a few months.
The plants in the tank are actually growing out of the water and have to trim now every few days.
I have a number of red cherry shrimp in there so this may be a reason why no algae has ever shown.

I think you need to think out your plan more and become aware of places what get mostly daylight. Mine gets full daylight after 12.30pm until it gets dark.

Its worth a try, if it doesn't work out for you then its not a massive job to move.

Yeah I'm not very keen on the light because I wanted the tank to be simple. Lighting would make it look bulkier too. However I think it is quite dark and shady...

Thing is, my room only has 2 power points. I actually wanted the tank on top of my shelf at the window (I'm not worried about algae) but it's impossible to get an extension cord behind my 2 book cases. I would end up with bookcases on top of me instead. So I had to settle with it on my desk. I'm planning to shift it to the left of the window and see if it helps the elodea. I noticed today that the sunlight shines there but it's not much either.