sunlight

[checkerboard]

I was wondering, if a tank has indirect sunlight for mostof the day, then how do we know how much more light does the tank need? still 3 watt per gallon? or is there another way of estimating?

Also, are there benefits in plants having access to sunlight?

just curious

[Simon]

kekeke.. with direct sunlight, yr main concern will be excessive light leading to algae problem and raising temperature...

[Fei Miao]

Sunlight..mmmmmm....

doesn't that cause algae outbreaks

[zmzfam]

checkerboard asking abt INDIRECT sunlight le..

[lorba]

why would u want to calculate such complicated problem? The indirect sunlight will be at different strength at different time of the day, does that mean installing a light dimming system to match that of the indirect sunlight such that you have the desired W/G?

Why not just hide it from sunlight?

[sherchoo]

For this it's very hard to gauge. Is there any porblems caused by this indirect sunlight, if not juz let it be. Adjust accordingly if needed.

[checkerboard]

actually, i am not experiencing any problem with indirect sunlight. in fact my tank is quite algae free. my tank is in the porch, sheltered but not shaded entirely. my plants (including many high light requirement ones like didiplis, hairgrass, r.Wallichi and R. Macrandra.) shows no signs of deficiency in light and i am only using 60W for 240 litres. Was therefore wondering if i shd get more light...

[tawauboy]

are there problems that you are facing presently?
if none, then don't try to fix it.

who knows, may be the plants do like the variance in light intensity cause by indirect sunlight.

[Allen_1971]

agree... if it ain't broke, don't fix it.[]

[Simon]

LOL.. me bad, always misreading threads..

yup, if there isnt any problems, then not really a prob[]

[juggler]

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On 2/28/2003 12:59:49 PM

I was wondering, if a tank has indirect sunlight for mostof the day, then how do we know how much more light does the tank need? still 3 watt per gallon? or is there another way of estimating?

Also, are there benefits in plants having access to sunlight?

just curious
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IMO, u shd be happy to have access to sunlight to supplment your lighting. Then you don't need to turn on your lights as long as 12 hours. As for duration, I guess you can try some variation by observing how the plants are growing. If stem plants showing longer inter-nodes, then it means not enough light.

Last time we had a friend who only use sunlight for his tank. No CO2, no filter. Check out the story in this thread.

[FC]

Is timer controlled light curtain a good idea?[]

[sherchoo]

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On 2/28/2003 4:44:20 PM

Is timer controlled light curtain a good idea?[]
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Good idea..... a better idea would be a plain curtain.

Actually, I'm getting indirect sunlight too. No problems. Juz maintain a good nutrient control, your tank will be ok.

[juggler]

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On 2/28/2003 4:44:20 PM

Is timer controlled light curtain a good idea?[]
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No good. Sometimes we still have continuous days of rain. Dark.[]

[FC]

rain/light intensity sensors and motorised rail to bring tank closer to window? Plus recorded voice messages to inform the plant "it's raining you know, don't panic and grow tall. Sit back and relax".[]

[hoppinghippo]

I tried using sun alone too for a small tank (5L)on my desk and while the tennullus and moss bubbled after a relative short while compared to lights, I noticed the tennullus doesn't seem to flourish? like the growth is stagnant? I changed to pure lights (18W)and at least the tennullus starts to show some reddish leaves. wonder why?

[CK Yeo]

It works. Farms use sunlight to grow tonnes of aquatic plants, dun they? In nature, plants grow in sunlight, no? Diana Watsland advocates it as well in her low tech, natural setup. I understand that at one point of time, Kwek Leong used mirrors to direct sunlight into his tank...

But there are problems associated with using sunlight also lah... e.g. a bit difficult to control intensity... can try using a shade cloth or something.
and if the light is comeing from the side, some stem plants will grow towards the direction of the light. Looks weird.

The biggest problem is that you can't come home to a brightly lit tank in the evening [] Unless you are home most of the day, of course...

ck

[FC]

Seriously, sunlight can be a good source. Timebomb has a very successful tank at the balcony. All the plants there are algae free and healthy. Even algae infested plants would be cured there. You can see the tank I think in his web about killie fishes. www.killies.com