Natural sunlight?

[Don E]

Hi all-

I was just browsing Rcipema's (sp?) pics and he had a shot of his tank in morning sunlight. That's the first time I've seen anybody use sunlight on their tank. It got me thinking-

Is there any reason why you can't use natural light on your tank? If you can raise orchids and other high-light tropical plants on your windowsill in Calgary, why can't you do the same with corals?

It seems to me the biggest challenge would be heat control, but that should be manageable with air circulation (fans). You'd have to augment during the winter months to get your 12 hours of light, but what else is stopping reefers from saving huge bucks on lighting by using the Sun?

What do you think?

Don

[Beverly]

Don,

I use natural light on my two reefs, but not direct summer sunlight because of the dramatic rise in tank temps. Both reefs are on the east wall, so in summer I keep the blinds closed until the sun passes and does not shine directly on the tanks. This time of year, the sun is weak and doesn't heat up the tanks, so I keep the blinds open all the time.

Here's my 72 gal bowfront with the blinds open:



Here's the tank area of my living and dining rooms. Right to left, 72 gal bowfront, 42 gal hex, 28 gal SH tank, ball python terrarium (with the red heat lamp):



The 42 hex has light coming at it from three sides

[Canadian Man]

Last year Tony and I had a chance to meet with Rob Toonen here in Calgary. We were discussing the natural light thing and the amount ones tank may receive with a south type facing window. Or a few hours of sunlight.

He said that the amount of light we would receive in a scenario like this is so minimal that it will not provide any significant benefit with regards to the critters in our tank that need light to survive.

That's the word from the expert. So unless we have a specific setup. eg.solatubes or many skylights like the fellow with the 2000G aquarium I am afraid we will get no benefit.

[EmilyB]

Personally, I think I am having some pretty great results from tanks kept in a windowless room, on timers with a moonlight.

[props]

oh wow nice place there bev
awesome setups
=o)

[Doug]

Agreed, that looks nice Bev.

I once had a tank near a window that recieved morning sunlight. It drowned out a 250w Iwasaki. My bubble coral use to love that light every morning.

At night, the street light provided moonlight.

[Beverly]

Thanks, Doug and ProPs

I can't ever see myself giving up free extra light for my tanks

[Don E]

I agree, beautiful tanks Beverly.

I have a little sunlight on my 20G in the mornings, and it totally drowns out my PC's.

I can't really imagine that window sunlight would be an insignificant influence- esp. in s. Alberta where we get so much of it.

d

[Delphinus]

It seems like a lot to us, but it's really no comparison to a tropical sun.

A lot of the blues are filtered out by the atmosphere by the time it gets to us.

But hey it's cheap .... if you can try it go for it.

[Canadian Man]

Not to mention the windows the light passes through rids it of good properties as well.