Hi,
Is it possible to have a tank that is partially lit with sunlight or will this just grow a lot of algae?
I have a 20 Gal long tank that I'm thinking of moving into a bay window where it would get some filtered sunlight during the summer (we have a large maple in front of the window) and maybe 3-4 hours of more direct sunlight in the winter.
Currently:
-lighting is 2x 27watt spiral CF's screwed into 2 desklamps
-heavily planted- Hygro stricta, hygro polysperma, hygro difformis, amazon swords, watersprite, java moss + broad leaf sag, and some floating water lettuce.
-as outlined in "EI light for 10-20 gal tanks" macros 2x/wk (dry ferts), traces 2x/wk (seachem flourish)
-50-60% water changes weekly
- DIY CO2 run into the powerhead intake., red sea drop checker with 4dKH solution is light green.
-filtration- aquaclear 30 + sponge filter on powerhead intake
-stocking: 3 chinese weather loaches, 3 pepper corys, 2 oto cats, 3 very small eel loaches
So far the I have had minimal to no algae, you really have to look to find some. Tank has been up amd running for about 3 months.
So, why am I messing with it when things are working? Well, the desk lamps are ugly and have twice fallen into the tank! And it would make more space/look nice in the window.
Oh, and I plan to supplement the window light with 2x15w T8's as it really is pretty shaded esp. in summer.
So what are people's thoughts on sunlight? Would fluctuations in light from cloudy days etc. be an issue?
Thanks!
Irene
Is it possible to have a tank that is partially lit with sunlight or will this just grow a lot of algae?
I have a 20 Gal long tank that I'm thinking of moving into a bay window where it would get some filtered sunlight during the summer (we have a large maple in front of the window) and maybe 3-4 hours of more direct sunlight in the winter.
Currently:
-lighting is 2x 27watt spiral CF's screwed into 2 desklamps
-heavily planted- Hygro stricta, hygro polysperma, hygro difformis, amazon swords, watersprite, java moss + broad leaf sag, and some floating water lettuce.
-as outlined in "EI light for 10-20 gal tanks" macros 2x/wk (dry ferts), traces 2x/wk (seachem flourish)
-50-60% water changes weekly
- DIY CO2 run into the powerhead intake., red sea drop checker with 4dKH solution is light green.
-filtration- aquaclear 30 + sponge filter on powerhead intake
-stocking: 3 chinese weather loaches, 3 pepper corys, 2 oto cats, 3 very small eel loaches
So far the I have had minimal to no algae, you really have to look to find some. Tank has been up amd running for about 3 months.
So, why am I messing with it when things are working? Well, the desk lamps are ugly and have twice fallen into the tank! And it would make more space/look nice in the window.
Oh, and I plan to supplement the window light with 2x15w T8's as it really is pretty shaded esp. in summer.
So what are people's thoughts on sunlight? Would fluctuations in light from cloudy days etc. be an issue?
Thanks!
Irene