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kalied20
Guest
I set this up this week while taking down my 90 gallon. Downsizing...in the process I thought why not put that next to the windows and not run a light? Here's the results so far for a week.
spiderwoman
Active Member
I'd turn on the real lights ASAP. The light they get through your windows may be enough for FOWLR but not for corals. All yours seem to be bleached already. Especially the clam won't survive long.
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kalied20
Guest
more pictures
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kalied20
Guest
Originally Posted by SpiderWoman
http:///forum/post/2583315
I'd turn on the real lights ASAP. The light they get through your windows may be enough for FOWLR but not for corals. All yours seem to be bleached already. Especially the clam won't survive long.
That's funny, the pictures look a little colorless, but in person they are bright and more colorful than they have ever been. I have the new Current Sundial T5 fixture for it if needed, but haven't seen any reason to put in on there.
http:///forum/post/2583315
I'd turn on the real lights ASAP. The light they get through your windows may be enough for FOWLR but not for corals. All yours seem to be bleached already. Especially the clam won't survive long.
That's funny, the pictures look a little colorless, but in person they are bright and more colorful than they have ever been. I have the new Current Sundial T5 fixture for it if needed, but haven't seen any reason to put in on there.
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kalied20
Guest
Originally Posted by rtspeed
http:///forum/post/2583316
window have a layer of uv protectent on them that does not allow the corals to get the right amount of uv, so hence this is only a good setup if the window is open at all times to let the light threw.
even in older houses? How do plants thrive?
http:///forum/post/2583316
window have a layer of uv protectent on them that does not allow the corals to get the right amount of uv, so hence this is only a good setup if the window is open at all times to let the light threw.
even in older houses? How do plants thrive?
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kalied20
Guest
here's a picture under the T5's 10k's and 460's
perfectdark
Active Member
Its not the right spectrum of light to promote coral growth and propogation. Also the window glass and your aquarium glass filters out too many UV rays for the light to be useful. And lastly because of the spectrum it is it accelertates algae growth.
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kalied20
Guest
Originally Posted by PerfectDark
http:///forum/post/2583364
Its not the right spectrum of light to promote coral growth and propogation. Also the window glass and your aquarium glass filters out too many UV rays for the light to be useful. And lastly because of the spectrum it is it accelertates algae growth.
Well, I am going to see how it goes. Can't see how everyone thinks that natural sunlight it wrong? Laughing...I thought that is what they thrived on in "natural environments"?
http:///forum/post/2583364
Its not the right spectrum of light to promote coral growth and propogation. Also the window glass and your aquarium glass filters out too many UV rays for the light to be useful. And lastly because of the spectrum it is it accelertates algae growth.
Well, I am going to see how it goes. Can't see how everyone thinks that natural sunlight it wrong? Laughing...I thought that is what they thrived on in "natural environments"?
spiderwoman
Active Member
Originally Posted by kalied20
http:///forum/post/2583514
Well, I am going to see how it goes. Can't see how everyone thinks that natural sunlight it wrong? Laughing...I thought that is what they thrived on in "natural environments"?
They do, but they don't have a roof over their head...
http:///forum/post/2583514
Well, I am going to see how it goes. Can't see how everyone thinks that natural sunlight it wrong? Laughing...I thought that is what they thrived on in "natural environments"?
They do, but they don't have a roof over their head...
perfectdark
Active Member
Originally Posted by kalied20
http:///forum/post/2583514
Well, I am going to see how it goes. Can't see how everyone thinks that natural sunlight it wrong? Laughing...I thought that is what they thrived on in "natural environments"?
This is true but the color, temperature and spectum of light is much different where these corals are found than you can get from indirect sunlight through 2 layers of glass and only on a certain angle. You are quite a ways away from the equator and the sunlight is much different here than it is on these reefs. Good Luck.
http:///forum/post/2583514
Well, I am going to see how it goes. Can't see how everyone thinks that natural sunlight it wrong? Laughing...I thought that is what they thrived on in "natural environments"?
This is true but the color, temperature and spectum of light is much different where these corals are found than you can get from indirect sunlight through 2 layers of glass and only on a certain angle. You are quite a ways away from the equator and the sunlight is much different here than it is on these reefs. Good Luck.
bang guy
Moderator
Originally Posted by kalied20
http:///forum/post/2583514
Well, I am going to see how it goes. Can't see how everyone thinks that natural sunlight it wrong? Laughing...I thought that is what they thrived on in "natural environments"?
I think they'll be fine.
The 2 or 3 layers of glass will definately alter the color of light striking the corals but in my experience Zooxanthellae will adapt to whatever color light they receive as long as they get enough of it. Judging from the picture it looks like you're getting plenty of intensity.
My only concern would be temperature stability. If you have that covered then I don't see a problem with what you're doing.
http:///forum/post/2583514
Well, I am going to see how it goes. Can't see how everyone thinks that natural sunlight it wrong? Laughing...I thought that is what they thrived on in "natural environments"?
I think they'll be fine.
The 2 or 3 layers of glass will definately alter the color of light striking the corals but in my experience Zooxanthellae will adapt to whatever color light they receive as long as they get enough of it. Judging from the picture it looks like you're getting plenty of intensity.
My only concern would be temperature stability. If you have that covered then I don't see a problem with what you're doing.
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kalied20
Guest
Originally Posted by Bang Guy
http:///forum/post/2583596
I think they'll be fine.
The 2 or 3 layers of glass will definately alter the color of light striking the corals but in my experience Zooxanthellae will adapt to whatever color light they receive as long as they get enough of it. Judging from the picture it looks like you're getting plenty of intensity.
My only concern would be temperature stability. If you have that covered then I don't see a problem with what you're doing.
About 2 hours of daylight from the left side window in the morning. This is mostly through the window and the tank glass. Then during the midday, about 2.5 hours, the sunlight is going across the roof. So no direct light during this time, but still bright. Then the sun comes down to the right side window directly into the the top of the tank for around 2 hours. Then 2+ hours of light into the tank top and glass. Everything looks wonderful during these times, but i cannot catch it in a picture as everything is reflecting off the cheap camera I got.
Temperature has been staying around 80 during the day with the direct sunlight. At night it drops to 78 before morning. I am wondering how summer is going to affect it. So I am making a bank of fans attached to a thermostat to kick on and blow acros the top of the water if goes above 80. Usually it cools the water down 1 or 2 degree in 30 minutes. Been pretty steady so far.
Thanks for the positive remark. I am prepared with a new Current Sundial T5 fixture to put over it.
http:///forum/post/2583596
I think they'll be fine.
The 2 or 3 layers of glass will definately alter the color of light striking the corals but in my experience Zooxanthellae will adapt to whatever color light they receive as long as they get enough of it. Judging from the picture it looks like you're getting plenty of intensity.
My only concern would be temperature stability. If you have that covered then I don't see a problem with what you're doing.
About 2 hours of daylight from the left side window in the morning. This is mostly through the window and the tank glass. Then during the midday, about 2.5 hours, the sunlight is going across the roof. So no direct light during this time, but still bright. Then the sun comes down to the right side window directly into the the top of the tank for around 2 hours. Then 2+ hours of light into the tank top and glass. Everything looks wonderful during these times, but i cannot catch it in a picture as everything is reflecting off the cheap camera I got.
Temperature has been staying around 80 during the day with the direct sunlight. At night it drops to 78 before morning. I am wondering how summer is going to affect it. So I am making a bank of fans attached to a thermostat to kick on and blow acros the top of the water if goes above 80. Usually it cools the water down 1 or 2 degree in 30 minutes. Been pretty steady so far.
Thanks for the positive remark. I am prepared with a new Current Sundial T5 fixture to put over it.
wildreefer
New Member
I def give you an A+ for being original and trying to do the natural route but hopefully you won't run into any problems, my 20g is under my window with no visible light and the water turned green .... like pod water green
.... You may want to invest in a UV if you plan on keeping the tank in the direct sun
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kalied20
Guest
Originally Posted by WildReefer
http:///forum/post/2585179
I def give you an A+ for being original and trying to do the natural route but hopefully you won't run into any problems, my 20g is under my window with no visible light and the water turned green .... like pod water green
.... You may want to invest in a UV if you plan on keeping the tank in the direct sun
Good idea. That will probably help in the long run.
http:///forum/post/2585179
I def give you an A+ for being original and trying to do the natural route but hopefully you won't run into any problems, my 20g is under my window with no visible light and the water turned green .... like pod water green
Good idea. That will probably help in the long run.
jlm48
Member
Hey, while I was deployed ( I'm in the Navy) the ballast on my tank gave out. My wife just "opened he windows" and exposed the tank to natural sun light. For what its worth, the tank not only survived for a month and a half, it thrived. Corals grew, mushrooms reproduced, I was surprised to say the least. I dont know what to believe anymore
But thats just me.....
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kalied20
Guest
Originally Posted by Bang Guy
http:///forum/post/2586162
Just fyi - Light spectrum and light quantity do not cause algae. Excess dissolved nutrients cause algae.
That is definitely true. I have put a lot of thought into this setup so here's my plan to keep that from happening.
1.) CPR BakPak skimmer hang on back of tank. It's on a timer to run 4 hours a day right now. This first week I have not seen any skimmate.
2.) all the live sand and live rock came out of my 90 gallon, which is just 5 feet from each other.
3.) I took some rumble LR from my refuge on the 90 and filled the first chamber in the back of the Nano. The second chamber has two sponges in it that I seeded with tiny brittles and other stuff from my refuge. I also put carbon inbetween the sponges and change it out regularly.
4.) I like the UV idea too. I am looking into getting a small one online.
5.) the return pump I moved up to a maxijet 1200. and with the tonga branch the flow is great. So no dead spots.
6.) small clean up crew doing well so far.
7.) 5 gallon water changes every 7-10 days.
what you think?
http:///forum/post/2586162
Just fyi - Light spectrum and light quantity do not cause algae. Excess dissolved nutrients cause algae.
That is definitely true. I have put a lot of thought into this setup so here's my plan to keep that from happening.
1.) CPR BakPak skimmer hang on back of tank. It's on a timer to run 4 hours a day right now. This first week I have not seen any skimmate.
2.) all the live sand and live rock came out of my 90 gallon, which is just 5 feet from each other.
3.) I took some rumble LR from my refuge on the 90 and filled the first chamber in the back of the Nano. The second chamber has two sponges in it that I seeded with tiny brittles and other stuff from my refuge. I also put carbon inbetween the sponges and change it out regularly.
4.) I like the UV idea too. I am looking into getting a small one online.
5.) the return pump I moved up to a maxijet 1200. and with the tonga branch the flow is great. So no dead spots.
6.) small clean up crew doing well so far.
7.) 5 gallon water changes every 7-10 days.
what you think?