Topic: is sunlight harmful?

[decemberchick]

Ok, basically anywhere my 2 tanks are in my rom, at some point in the day the sun will be on them for 1/2-1 hour. I know it can cause algae growth (but it hasn't been a problem with my regular changes) but it it actually harmful at at to the fish? (one tank has a heater so when the sun is off it, the heater keeps it sonctsant but te other is a 1.2g tank so i don't have a heater for it.

[biche]

As long at it is not direct sun or they have something to hide under or have shade they should be fine.

[lannen]

The only harm of sun should be algae growth and temperature change.  I would try to keep the tank out of the sun as much as possible, because sun light can cause a rapid change of temp (especially in a small tank).  Since you can't keep them out of the sun, try to move them so that they will only get sun as it is just rising or setting.  That will help keep the energy from the sun light to a minimum.

[decemberchick]

yes, the dresser is off to the side of my room so it is only in the sun for a short period in the morning/evening. Both have silk plants which they can hide under, and it looks like only half of the tank is in the sun at a time, so if they want they can swim to the part that isn't. Hopefully the temperature change isn't too great. I am at work all day so I cannot move the tanks away from the sun as it moves around my bedroom.

[lannen]

That should be fine.  As long as it doesn't get periods of intense sun light (noon sun), it should be fine.  The sun in the mornings and evenings is relatively weak and shouldn't cause much trouble.  My tanks get a few minutes of direct light as the sun rises everyday and it has never been a problem that I've noticed.  Just try to keep the energy trasfer to a minimum.  I would definitely advise against moving the tank around everyday.  That can cause a lot of stress (for you and the fish) and gives a lot of chance for something to go wrong.