Sunlight on Reef Tank

[Silent]

I had a tank infront of a picture window and it grew great corals but it took a year to balance out before algae disappeared for good. Longer process to stabilize.

 

[Blackice615]

Looks awesome

 

[miamijaaz]

Thought I’d share some more pictures from today.

Top-Down (flow on)—you can see the Kessil LED reflection:

Top-down (flow off)—I think I see a little coralline growing (or is it a reflection from the Kessil? Haha):

Clowns being clowns and a photo-bombing PBT:

 

[Fallling]

Love your tank.

My tank is next to window and gets a lot of sunlight in the morning / early afternoon - I love the look of the natural light, especially contrasting with the blues of tanks lights later in the day. My main issue was corraline algae exploded on the side of the tank that gets hit directly with sunlight - it was almost completely covered at one point as I didn't stay on top of it (urchins have since mowed down that coralline). That corner also had a tendency to be more susceptible to cyano as well when I get outbreaks. Overall, I think getting some natural sunlight is way underrated.

 

[n21benson]

When I set up my 200g reef tank in its current location, admittedly I did not plan for the amount of sunlight that would fall on the tank from a high window. Now that Fall is here, the tank is receiving tons of light as the sun moves across the sky. I love the look, but understand that I’m going to have to keep nutrients in check or algae may become a problem. Right now still working through the new tank diatoms, so we’ll see. Hoping that I don’t have to install some shades because I absolutely love the look of natural sunlight on the tank. Here are some pics and a video.

I wish I could say that I planned for the sunlight to fall right on the two rock structures, but I would be lying.

That shimmer looks amazing! Great set-up!

 

[Dugless]

I don’t think sunlight is going to be any different than if running a capable light fixture. Spectrum likely is different (more complete), but algae will be driven by most any light source. If anything it might be tougher to dial in control of intensity throughout a time period, days and hours.

 

[Shooter6]

Look up o2manyfishes on youtube. He has 2 frag tanks outside getting full sun. Others use solar tubes to light or at least supplement light their reef.

 

[Mark]

My 225g got hit with sunlight every morning. Seemed to be a beneficial thing. There's a 45 gallon cube in the same spot with morning sunshine now, since I tore the 225 down.

 

[mort]

My tank gets hit by direct sunlight for most of the day and I placed it there deliberately because fish look so much better under natural daylight. As the sun enters the room and lights one end of the tank first, you are guaranteed this is where all the fish will be.
The downside for some would be the corals look more like they actually should in the wild but for me that's a plus to.

I do agree with silent above that it took the tank longer to go through the algae phase but it won't cause any extra work when the tank is mature unless you have a nutrient problem.

 

[miamijaaz]

My tank gets hit by direct sunlight for most of the day and I placed it there deliberately because fish look so much better under natural daylight. As the sun enters the room and lights one end of the tank first, you are guaranteed this is where all the fish will be.
The downside for some would be the corals look more like they actually should in the wild but for me that's a plus to.

I do agree with silent above that it took the tank longer to go through the algae phase but it won't cause any extra work when the tank is mature unless you have a nutrient problem.

You are so right on this, I also noticed that the fish seem to congregate around the area where the sunlight hits the tank. Also, their colors shine under real sunlight, it’s pretty amazing.

Not a great picture, but this is where they were hanging out this morning, the area where the sunlight first hits the tank.

 

[Devaji]

I have a little Nano that gets morning sun for a few hours. looks amazing!
it's is pretty new the only algae I am getting is where the sun hits the tank. need to clean the glass more and some on a rock that is going away.

like other have said enjoy it. but keep things in check and let your tangs have some free food.

love this tank BTW I saw in somwehre maybe build thread or FB?

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

Love the tank, thanks for sharing, comrade

 

[Abdullah Al Faruq]

Thought I’d share some more pictures from today.

Top-Down (flow on)—you can see the Kessil LED reflection:

Top-down (flow off)—I think I see a little coralline growing (or is it a reflection from the Kessil? Haha):

Clowns being clowns and a photo-bombing PBT:

I wish to see the anemone choosing to park itself in direct sunlight.

 

[Neptune1707]

When I set up my 200g reef tank in its current location, admittedly I did not plan for the amount of sunlight that would fall on the tank from a high window. Now that Fall is here, the tank is receiving tons of light as the sun moves across the sky. I love the look, but understand that I’m going to have to keep nutrients in check or algae may become a problem. Right now still working through the new tank diatoms, so we’ll see. Hoping that I don’t have to install some shades because I absolutely love the look of natural sunlight on the tank. Here are some pics and a video.

I wish I could say that I planned for the sunlight to fall right on the two rock structures, but I would be lying.

I’m in Chicago, and yes the low fall sun is back to hitting my Red Sea 500 tank...I agree with you, the light gives the tank such a Nice shimmer and my corals really seem to love it by extending. I do have a med to high bio load but because I have got maintenance practice and water params are spot on I don’t have any algae issue. I use to scrap back glass but now I let it grow a thin coat of algae as it keeps my tangs grazing thru the day.

 

[miamijaaz]

Still shot from video taken this morning. Tank is still receiving tons of light. Notice a little more algae growth on the sand where the sun hits, but rocks are relatively clean. Agree parameters need to be spot on, or you will know it from the areas the sunlight hits. I have to say, you really get to appreciate the true colors of these marvelous fish when they are lit up by sunlight.

 

[McLovin70]

When I set up my 200g reef tank in its current location, admittedly I did not plan for the amount of sunlight that would fall on the tank from a high window. Now that Fall is here, the tank is receiving tons of light as the sun moves across the sky. I love the look, but understand that I’m going to have to keep nutrients in check or algae may become a problem. Right now still working through the new tank diatoms, so we’ll see. Hoping that I don’t have to install some shades because I absolutely love the look of natural sunlight on the tank. Here are some pics and a video.

I wish I could say that I planned for the sunlight to fall right on the two rock structures, but I would be lying.

How's it going long term? I'm about to do the same

 

[jdpiii3]

The lighting on my reef is natural sunlight keep your parameters in line and you will not have issues with algae.

 

[sfin52]

Still shot from video taken this morning. Tank is still receiving tons of light. Notice a little more algae growth on the sand where the sun hits, but rocks are relatively clean. Agree parameters need to be spot on, or you will know it from the areas the sunlight hits. I have to say, you really get to appreciate the true colors of these marvelous fish when they are lit up by sunlight.

Hows the tank

 

[miguelvega76]

When I set up my 200g reef tank in its current location, admittedly I did not plan for the amount of sunlight that would fall on the tank from a high window. Now that Fall is here, the tank is receiving tons of light as the sun moves across the sky. I love the look, but understand that I’m going to have to keep nutrients in check or algae may become a problem. Right now still working through the new tank diatoms, so we’ll see. Hoping that I don’t have to install some shades because I absolutely love the look of natural sunlight on the tank. Here are some pics and a video.

I wish I could say that I planned for the sunlight to fall right on the two rock structures, but I would be lying.

It is gorgeous , i think main issue will be evap and heat . I mean , i have seen Mike's Paletta tank in a sunroom on a video and his corals looked really healthy . Solar light is hard to compete with .. Just think on heat and a way on moderating it when it is too much . Not all corals are from shallow parts of the reef. Direct sun would be just like a lagoon ..

 

[miguelvega76]

I like the natural shimmer . I actually have my tank near some big windows. Ac and a fan help with the heat.. I like the shimmer from natural light.