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Tank near a Window

PostPosted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 10:18 am
by SINI5T3R
What are the advantages/disadvantages of having your tank next to a window?

Does the sun mess up the tank any way?


I have my 50Gal next to a window that way my turtles can get some sun in the early morning and noon hours.

PostPosted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 10:49 am
by Lilsaint
If the window are closed, i guess th uvb will be filtered. And sunlight encourage algae growth. The best would be u are able to open the window in the day, and get a pleco to clear up your algae.

PostPosted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 12:22 pm
by jameshermanto
=.= algae

PostPosted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 1:55 pm
by SINI5T3R
Yeah im grabbing a Chinese Sucker Fish today actually. I read another thread that said they are great for turtle tanks.

PostPosted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 2:25 pm
by BullDog
A tank near a window will most likely get algae. Also, your turtles aren't getting any beneficial UVB though the window.
Be aware that the fish might end up as a nice snack for your turts.

PostPosted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 8:33 pm
by seanwb
Tank near window = Green or red algae

The sun will give you no UVB through glass, but may heat the tank more than you want

PostPosted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 8:37 am
by steve
There's no real advantage.

PostPosted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 10:11 am
by SINI5T3R
seanwb wrote:Tank near window = Green or red algae

The sun will give you no UVB through glass, but may heat the tank more than you want


Red Algae huh? that mite look cool :D lol

PostPosted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 2:10 pm
by worldpeace
Besides the algae problem that the other people mentioned, having your tank near a window could also affect your temperatures and make them fluctuate. A heater can take care of the problem if your water becomes too cold, but if the sun shines through the window most of the day your tank can become overheated and that will mean cooling it down with ice every day. So in short, it has no advantages but could become a pain.

PostPosted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 3:26 pm
by TurtleKeeper48
I've had tanks near windows. Others have said it already, but it can't be made too clear.

No good can come from it, and algea WILL be the result which will mean your tank requires a lot more cleaning a lot more often. You'll get algea on the sides of the tank, you'll get grean water, your turtles will not get UV light. Nothing good comes from having a tank near a window. Your set up will be a lot more high maintenance.

Keep it as far away from windows as you can. The use of an aquarium backing on the back and sides can really help you get by in a small room with a lot of windows where it's hard to keep the tank away from direct sunlight.