Help Seeking a sunlight-blocking solution

[SmartAlec13]

Hello! New here, hope this is fine.

I have an aquascape that I have been enjoying a lot. Unfortunately, it gets blasted by "indirect" sunlight due to its position in our home. It is literally the best spot for it aesthetically; its a decorative little indent where the kitchen meets the entry area, the tank can be seen at perfect height from the couch, and I can even spy the side of it from the bedroom down the hall when we are lounging in there.

But as I said, it gets blasted with light. It's on the opposite side of the living room from tall windows, we are up on 3rd floor, and they face south. Due to being in northern states USA, this means that during this time of year the sun is almost directly blasting straight into the windows (side story, if we leave the blinds open our place easily heats above 76F! That's how much sun is getting in).

The algae I can battle, but it's shaping my plants in ways I don't like. The monte carlo grows thickest at the front, the rotala in the back is bending forward like crazy, etc.

My question: Does anyone have a good solution for this that doesn't involve moving the tank? We keep the blinds closed (as I mentioned before it gets hot AF) but not at all times. I was thinking of maybe getting some blackout curtains and hanging them in front of the tank - anyone have a DIY way to automate them opening/closing? I saw on shopping sites there are automatic blinds openers/closers, but they are a bit expensive. My goal would be that I could have them on a timer, and open only when I am actually home from work to enjoy the tank.

 

[Koan]

Cling film reflector on the window?



It's how we did it in the office park..

 

[SmartAlec13]

Cling film reflector on the window?

View attachment 14453

It's how we did it in the office park..

Unfortunately our condo building has a policy against visible film like this, but, I might check out some see-through UV blocking since that seems to be the other main recommendation I am getting on other forums.

 

[Koan]

policy against visible film like this

Bummer.

Well Costco does have motorized app / Alexa - controlled shades that could help

Motorized Blinds and Shades | Bali Blinds

Experience Bali's motorized blinds – effortless control for your windows. Enjoy cordless, easy installation & innovation with automatic blinds.

baliblinds.costco.com

Or if it's a little tank, you could privacy - film a piece of plexiglass, and lean it against the front to shade when you're not home

 

[SmartAlec13]

Bummer.

Well Costco does have motorized app / Alexa - controlled shades that could help

Motorized Blinds and Shades | Bali Blinds

Experience Bali's motorized blinds – effortless control for your windows. Enjoy cordless, easy installation & innovation with automatic blinds.

baliblinds.costco.com

Or if it's a little tank, you could privacy - film a piece of plexiglass, and lean it against the front to shade when you're not home

Thanks I will check that out.

It is smaller, 60p (so 60cm wide). So that might work. In my head I envisioned one of those clothes-racks (like the kind that can be wheeled around) with blinds attached to the top, so I could use a motorized thing to have them open/close. So that motor you linked might work, I'll have to dig in a bit. Thanks.