How does direct sunlight affect a tank?

[epleeds]

I am in the process of planning an upgrade to my tank. The only place that the new tank can go gets some direct sunlight for about an hour in the morning time. Will this affect the tank in anyway? Input would be appreciated. Just wondering if I need to put some tint/window film on the upper windows in my house to deal with the sunlight..

 

eric

[mogurnda]

Compared to being blasted by halides, a little sunlight won't do much. One of my tanks gets an hour or so of sun every morning, and it has no effect. It's more of an issue for a FO or freshwater tank, where one doesn't have the same kind of nutrient control that one does in a reef.

[reefmontalvo]

A little un-expected coral growth but other than that you will be fine.

[sen5241b]

You may wish to consider if the sunlight could cause overheating. It does to mine but I just pull down the shades.

[lanman]

Might also cause some algae growth - just keep an eye on it.

 

bob

[Steve G]

I wonder about this too. My lights don't come on until well after sunrise, so with the morning sunlight, my fish get a longer photoperiod than I would like. (The shades in the room do not block out morning light). I keep the lights on late so I can come home from work and feed and tinker.