Advice on PC fans for cooling

[Philby]

I'm going to get some fans tomorrow to cool my lights (4/36" T5 overdriven on Icecap 430s) should i get 40, 60 or 80mm? some combination? (ie some across the bulbs, some across the endcaps?)

 

[leeweber85]

2 should be enough. Are your lights mounted in a canopy? how much room do you have to play? I would probably get the larger ones.

 

[Double-J]

usually the bigger you go the quieter they will be for the same amount of air they push. so if you could fit 120mm on them it would be ideal for noise. I used these on one of my computers and they are barely noticable

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811999614

 

[Atticus]

I use Ice cap vairable speed fans. Love them to death and well worth their $40 price tag. Very quiet and move a ton of air. One 4 inch cools 4 110watt VHOs and 2 250 watt halides.

 

[musty baby]

I like those Ice Cap fans, and they'd be nice if you've got the money to throw at them. I've got $1.50 invested in a 12v adapter and two 90mm fans that work great, though. Would have liked to have fit 2 120s in, but didn't plan far enough ahead to fit them into my hood.

 

[musty baby]

Oh, and to answer your question, get as big as you can fit in. They cost very little, take very little juice to run, and can do as big a favor in cooling your system as a small chiller can.

 

[dascharisma]

I agree with the whole bigger is better idea, and you should point all the fans between the bulbs and the water's surface lengthwise. However, last time we talked about your setup you didn't intend to use a controller for the tank. If that is still your intention, then be prepared for just how much big fans can cool your tank.


Brad

PS. Next weekend. You, me, hotub, booze, ladies.

 

[Philby]

Looks like i'll go for the 80MM ones. I'm buying them used from a guy who's getting rid of a bunch of PC stuff, so i'll see if he has anything larger...

They are going in a canopy and i won't be using a controller (at this point can't afford it). Although with my lights being overdriven, even tho their t5's, on such a small tank i could prob use the temp drop they'll provide.

He's selling them for cheap so maybe i'll just get a variety and play around til i find a setup i like.

Brad - I'm unfortunately going to be in Iowa City next weekend, otherwise I'd be there...I'll PM you.

 

[musty baby]

You should easily be able to adjust for swings in temp by putting your fans on a separate timer and shortening the length of time the fans run if there's too much cooling going on and lengthening it if there's not enough. You can always unplug a fan or two, as well. Better to have more and not need them than need them and not have more, right? Especially if you ever want to upgrade.

 

[matt the fiddler]

wire them to the same powerstrip your ballasts are on.. then they are only on with your lights...