Room Brightness: How much is too much?

Zach B · Dec 6, 2020

I am curious to see how many people keep their tanks in a brightly lit room, whether it be from a window or artificial lighting. My tank is kept in a room which has a lot of large windows & although it is never in direct light the room is quite lit. My question is, how much effect does ambient lighting have on a tank?

Reef. · Dec 6, 2020

Some...unless it’s direct light then I wouldn’t think it’s a big issue.

My tank is also in a fairly bright room, not direct sun but I can tell where the algae grows that the light definitely has an affect on the tank.

badluckman · Dec 6, 2020

I have 2 large windows that gives the tank direct sunligt a few hours/day about half the year. I think the corals looked happier during the days with sun than the days without.

My tank has only been up a year so I can't say much but it seems like a positive effect. I don't run very high lighting to begin with though, 2 150w MH and 4 54w T5 so I'm nowhere close to the par of some LED tanks.

andrewkw · Dec 6, 2020

I have big windows across from my tank and it gets a few hours of direct sunlight a day. In the summer I rarely see it because it's too early but in the winter it's real nice to look at. This is at 9am, the actual lights don't come on until 1:20pm. Most of the fish are still sleeping so it's not bothering them.

My other display gets direct light at sunset. So the lights are on when it happens but it too creates a nice effect. I remember years ago when my tanks were all in my basement I had the tiny windows covered and they never got any direct sunlight. Now I would do my best to ensure my tanks get at least a bit of direct sunlight. I don't necessarily think it's helpful. I do necessarily think it's not detrimental in any way, and I personally enjoy looking at my tanks under sunlight for a change.

Billdogg · Dec 6, 2020

The closest windows are across the room, but because my wife feels the need for ~10,000,000,000 watts of lights to be on at any given time, the tank does receive a goodd portion of that but I've never noticed any problem.