Natural Lighting

So I'm starting a new tank on a budget, and the plan is soft corals and a stomatopod. Would I benefit from natural lighting or would this just cause issues? I've heard it can cause algae blooms in your tank.



(empty ^)

edit: Natural lighting isn't the only thing that'll be on the tank!
http://www.marinedepot.com/UP_Aqua_..._Aquariums-UP_Aqua-AZ46447-FILTFILDFX-vi.html

 

Hi, Chance. Sunlight may beneficially help in soft coral tanks and have had no issues. But I feel you will still need at least some supplemental lighting for your 10g tank, due to its dimensions.

I have always had my tank(s) near a window. Sunlight in itself does not cause algae blooms, though it may increase the effect if your nitrates/phosphates are already high. Use simple, good filtration, and a light stocking list and I don't think you will experience any problems.

 

Thanks Seano! I'm looking at a little LED fixture as well.

 

Oh! and it's a 5.5g

 

Adee’s reef is a sunlight driven beast from South Africa

 

Oops.

But anyway, the tank in South Africa (linked above), while there is a window next to it, it also has a ceiling in the room made of skylights. They have the same material people use for greenhouses. That's how they're able to do a large tank on all sunlight.

I do agree it turned out looking nice though.

 

you will probably have no issues with algae if your params are kept in line, although in a 5.5 gallon if you having sunlight gleaming in for a extended ammount of time it may raise the tank temp quickly so be prepared.

 

The window opens, natural cooling!

 

Seano- I think the owner of that tank put Orphek DIF spotlights on the tank for winter.

 

Every article I have read always suggested putting a tank in a low traffic area away from heaters and vents and out of line from direct sunlight. Never really went against that advice so cant answer as to whether or not it will cause issues but taking the advice has kept me free from any algae issues