How to block direct sunlight on a display tank?

[apac]

…..and before some wise guy says “pull the curtains”, I’ll say it first!

I currently have a 100 gallon freshwater display tank, which will soon be replaced by saltwater. At present I get direct sunlight in the mornings on one side of the tank and get a lot of green algae growing on glass, rocks nd substrate on that side. I have two UV lights running and obviously clean/scrape when water changing. It’s not a massive issue; but I don’t want direct sunlight when I start my reef tank.

Question: Is it just the UV rays coming through the windows that causes the algae to grow? If so, I will get some transparent UV blocking film on the windows or even just on the side glass of the display tank; easy fix. Or will I need something more complex to block out the light.

 

[elysics]

There's not much you can do about it other than pulling the curtains or blacking out that side of the tank, or changing the tanks location.

I'd just get slightly more cleaning crew than normal and just live with the algae

Morning coffee and scraping glass to be rewarded with a pristine tank, can be a zen moment thing.

And you definitely need to lose the notion that you only clean the glass when water changing if you want your tank to look nice. Do you not have magnet cleaners?

 

[Mkengr45]

I like letting my corals and fish get a little natural sunlight like they would in the wild. As long as nutrients are under control and you don’t have an algae problem I wouldn’t worry about it

 

[Zach B]

We tinted the sliding door windows in our dining room for our tank. Helped a lot. Best of luck :)

 

[Freenow54]

There's not much you can do about it other than pulling the curtains or blacking out that side of the tank, or changing the tanks location.

I'd just get slightly more cleaning crew than normal and just live with the algae

Morning coffee and scraping glass to be rewarded with a pristine tank, can be a zen moment thing.

And you definitely need to lose the notion that you only clean the glass when water changing if you want your tank to look nice. Do you not have magnet cleaners?

Your a sick man Buda

 

[apac]

Thanks for all the different opinions guys.
Ultra clear film that blocks out 99.5% of UV light is really inexpensive and easy to apply with a bit of soapy water and a squeegee. I will probably go that route.

Me thinks I’ve answered my own question :thinking-face:

 

[Zach B]

Thanks for all the different opinions guys.
Ultra clear film that blocks out 99.5% of UV light is really inexpensive and easy to apply with a bit of soapy water and a squeegee. I will probably go that route.

Me thinks I’ve answered my own question :thinking-face:

100% :)

 

[ColorMeGone]

A little somthin I copied just now.

Glass that is transparent to visible light absorbs nearly all UVB. This is the wavelength range that can cause a sunburn, so it's true you can't get a sunburn through glass.


However, UVA is much closer to the visible spectrum than UVB. About 75% of UVA passes through ordinary glass. UVA leads to skin damage and genetic mutations that can lead to cancer. Glass does not protect you from skin damage from the sun. It affects indoor plants too. Have you ever taken an indoor plant outside and burned its leaves? This happens because the plant was unaccustomed to the higher levels of UVA found outside, compared with inside a sunny window.
Glass that is transparent to visible light absorbs nearly all UVB. This is the wavelength range that can cause a sunburn, so it's true you can't get a sunburn through glass.

Tinting glass reduces the amount of both visible and UVA transmitted through it. Some UVA still gets through, though. On average, 60–70% of UVA still penetrates tinted glass.

Sounds like tinted glass will not reduce your algae problem but will reduce your sunburns. lol

 

[rtparty]

Embrace it! The livestock will greatly benefit from the sun

 

[apac]

A little somthin I copied just now.

Glass that is transparent to visible light absorbs nearly all UVB. This is the wavelength range that can cause a sunburn, so it's true you can't get a sunburn through glass.


However, UVA is much closer to the visible spectrum than UVB. About 75% of UVA passes through ordinary glass. UVA leads to skin damage and genetic mutations that can lead to cancer. Glass does not protect you from skin damage from the sun. It affects indoor plants too. Have you ever taken an indoor plant outside and burned its leaves? This happens because the plant was unaccustomed to the higher levels of UVA found outside, compared with inside a sunny window.
Glass that is transparent to visible light absorbs nearly all UVB. This is the wavelength range that can cause a sunburn, so it's true you can't get a sunburn through glass.

Tinting glass reduces the amount of both visible and UVA transmitted through it. Some UVA still gets through, though. On average, 60–70% of UVA still penetrates tinted glass.

Sounds like tinted glass will not reduce your algae problem but will reduce your sunburns. lol

But you can get clear and tinted film that will block all wavelengths of UV.

 

[elysics]

But you can get clear and tinted film that will block all wavelengths of UV.

I wouldn't just worry about UV, it's the normal light that makes the algae grow. If you want to get foil to fix this issuee with the aquarium, get one that makes the room darker. Or instead of foiling the window with a tint, foil the side of the aquarium