New Tank Placement

[minxfishy]

Right new tank being delivered next week, 5ft, a couple of options of where to place it, but only one that is really feasible, which is in front of a large window!

Now the back of the tank will be up against the window, about 15" from it, the window goes across my entire room so sunlight reaches all areas anyway, but will this cause any major issues? The back of the tank will obviously have a background on it, black btw, so no direct sunlight as such will get into the tank, will also be putting a background on the right hand side glass to avoid any direct sunlight too and block the TV from the fish (dont want them getting addicted to lazy town ). Will that still cause major algae issues or will the background stop that?

The only other problem I can forsee is the heat in the summer from the sunlight but as I say the entire room gets direct sunlight, mornings only, so there is nowhere free from it.

Pic of area Im taking about.

 

[Truck]

i dont seeany problems apart from your fish missing peppa pig

 

[minxfishy]

I just want to spare them the mind numbing boringness of non stop 24/7 nick jr.

 

[Truck]

i feel your pain

 

[minxfishy]

Im just concerned really about major algae outbreaks, but Im assuming with a background on this would negate the direct sunlight problem? Or am I being dumb?

 

[Truck]

no a background would stop the sunlight entering the tank, IMO youll be fine

 

[minxfishy]

Cool, Im gonna keep the curtain behind it drawn too during the morning, which should help too.

 

[Syphoniera]

I do tend to quote the same people a lot...

Dan Quackenbush


http/www.malloftheworld.com/aquarium/par...tm#Introduction

... I have helped perpetuate the myth that you should never locate your aquarium by a window and especially a southern window ( if you live north of the equator). The logic was that it created too much temperature fluctuation and increased algae. It would not surprise me if this mis-information was started by a lighting company. The truth is, the temperature change is slow and the fish will adjust to it with no trouble. It takes more than just light to get alga. If the tank conditions are not right any light will increase alga.

Light from a southern window will out do the highest price lighting known for an aquarium. Depending on how much you get, it could even be to much. Reducing the sun light with partial (tape strips) or a total background on the back and or sides is much cheaper and easier than upgrading to high-tech lighting. Sun light also produces a very pleasing aquarium to look at.

East and west windows also work but for a shorter period of time.

I might point out, if you plan to do a notch plant tank, a southern window is critical. Even though I have a southern window I still use a small light. the reason is you will probably never get 10 hours of solid light. There are times of the year the sun will be over your home, below tree lines, overhangs or other buildings. You also have gray or rainy days. By putting even a little light on a timer I can extend the day to 12 hours for evening viewing. ...

But the quotes are so often appropriate.

 

[Night61]

i have most of my tank near a window and algae can be a serious problem. i have found a solution though, nitrina snails keep my tank plenty clean and algae free. i think as long as you keep critters in your tank that wll keep the algae at bay it should be ok. just be warned if your window is like by mine the tanks near it usally suffer tempture drops by 4 degrees even with a heater.

 

[minxfishy]

Syphoniera nice info, many thanks for that No idea which direction the window faces, the sun comes in 1st thing in the morning until about lunchtime, then goes around the house, right to left???

Sailornight, yeah Im prepared for a temp drop especially overnight during the winter and my house gets extremely cold and lets just say my windows arent the greatest, but wouldnt be more than a couple of degrees, the summer was my worry with overheating, but with curtains drawn to stop the sunlight and windows open, which are right behind the tank, should keep it cool enough - fingers crossed.