Outside Light Source? Myth or Fact?

I think it depends on what sort of effects you are referring to? Light from any source will effect the behavior of livestock. If you are talking about algae growth, I don't think the TV will do much but natural light from windows will definitely fuel growth, assuming the proper nutrients are also available.
 
My tank gets a full sunrise for an hour about half a year through the picture window. Also gets about 1/2 hour of sunset for a month or so. It ticks off some ricordea but besides that the tank, especially the fish, just glows with the natural light. No ill effects at all.
 
Windows will indeed encourage algae growth

My thinking is if we are already running full spectrum lights and nutrients are where they should be not much should be very different. I get full sun for almost an hour for a few months out of the year and I look forward to how it makes the fish glow. My Sebae anemone gets the most deep purple tips in the sun.
 
Just beware of algae blooms, especially on the glass. Also, temperature increase from direct sunlight. It's the sun were talking about. I believe it's a bit stronger than our lights were supplying our tanks with. I'm not saying to keep a room completely dark but direct sunlight will most likely cause algae blooms. I open shades indirectly. Good luck. Hey if it works for you go for it. Every tank behaves differently in this hobby.
 
My tank can get direct morning light some times of the year, and I think that aesthetically it looks best when lit that way (it gets it through the front glass). It may just be the angle of lighting in relation to viewing , like looking down on clams vs from the side.

I doubt it is having any substantial impact on the tank itself, however, since my lights are already pretty bright.
 
One of my tanks is lit only by the sun. I don't have algae issues and coralline grows well.
 
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