Solar Film on Tank Glass?

[Reginald Ho]

Hi guys, I have a 3 ft tank in my balcony (wife's idea - cannot put anywhere else in the house). The tank gets ample direct sunlight from 4.30pm to 6.30pm. Hair algae are happily growing on the leaves and the glass from the strong rays. An idea dawned upon me during the CNY holidays. "Why not stick a piece of solar film on the glass? It'll block off the UV wouldn't it?" Comments please?

[benny]

Whilst able to block off UV light, it does not block off light into your tank. Besides, a 3 ft sheet won't be cheap and application is not that easy on an existing tank. It might be cheaper to buy window blinds.

Cheers,

[Reginald Ho]

Thanks for the reply Benny. The only thing is that the blinds will make the whole house darker... Hmm.. i thought UV is the main culprit for algae growth?

[Shadow]

Not the UV, it the sun light intensity. Well actually that not necessary true as well It is about the balance between light, fertilizer and CO2. Stronger light will cause plant grow faster. Since plants grow faster, it also required large amount of fertilizer and CO2 to support it grow rate. If either CO2 or fertilizer in short supply, plants grow will be stunt and algae will take over. Band news is algae also grow faster in strong light

[Reginald Ho]

Thanks Shadow. I guess the best solution is still window blinds as suggested by Benny huh... I understand from a LFS owner that if fert is dosed to too much an extent, plants will melt away. Then with too much unused fert and CO2, algae will start blooming too.. Haiz... vicious cycle.

[Shadow]

yup, too much fert and some plant species wil start to melt and fauna start to die. too little algae start to take over