Best Fans

[ReefArtist]

Well I'm getting ready to rebuild my 75g canopy and I need to purchase 4" fans. I need them to be as quiet as possible and move as much air as possible. I know IceCap makes some but are they worth the extra money? Are there any other brands that are just as good but cheaper?

 

[boydx6]

Check with Greg. (Ah64av8tor) He has some that are fairly cheap and quiet.

 

[ReefArtist]

Thanks boydx6 will do - I vaguely remember him talking about them.

 

[Sailor_jon]

Check with Compusa, they have all kinds of fan speeds in thr 4" pancake fans, they just need a 12v supply, but you can get that at Radio Shack. The fans are fairly cheap.

 

[WarDaddy]

check out the 120mm fans, they are a bit larger than the 90mm and a lot quieter because they turn slower, and they move more air.

 

[markandkristen]

i use the walmart brand you can hang them on the back of your stand in the sump i think thier 7.99 at wallmart and they put out alot of flow and they oscelate. after a year or so you can clean them or pitch and buy a new one at that price and they are quiet.

 

[GlobaLPimP]

I use 2 of the 4" digital temperature contraoled Ice Cap fans. They are $50 each from FAOIS. IMO, they are awesome and worth every penny. They are quiet and the digital temperature sensors feature is SWEET. I now have a nice stable temp in my tank. My tank stays between 77 and 78 degrees with no chiller ( I keep my house temp at about 75-76) - Each fan has a temp probe on a wire that you mount under your canopy. When the temp heats up the fans increase in speed. I've been told by coutless people that they can't believe how quiet my tank is. I live in Palm Harbor if you're interested in seeing them first hand.

 

[Ah64av8tor]

Icecap
Variable speed control (based on ambient temperature)
*Air based temperature controlled probe
*12 Volt DC operation with quick disconnect transformer included
*Ball bearing and conformal coated for harsh environments
*Fan guard with mounting hardware included
*50 â€"œ 102 CFM
*Maximum decibels: 48 dBA


Vantec ThermoFlow
Air based temperature controlled probe
*12 Volt DC with Molex connecter / transformer not included
*Dual Ball bearing
*Fan guard with mounting hardware included
*54.3 â€"œ 92 CFM
*Maximum decibels: 29 - 39 dBA

I went with the Vantec quieter than the Icecap but a few CFM less
and they were only $11 plus power supply.

I got 5 and a power supply for less than 2 Icecaps!

 

[ReefArtist]

Mmmmm - might have to try them. I see they are mainly used to cool computers. Might have to go with these, at that price really can't go wrong. Were did you buy them? I see lots of places have them online.

 

[Aquatic Hamster]

When using the 12v fans do you need a 12v transformer for each or could I hook up 5 or 6 all to one transformer?

 

[GlobaLPimP]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9367652#post9367652 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ah64av8tor
Icecap
Variable speed control (based on ambient temperature)
*Air based temperature controlled probe
*12 Volt DC operation with quick disconnect transformer included
*Ball bearing and conformal coated for harsh environments
*Fan guard with mounting hardware included
*50 â€"œ 102 CFM
*Maximum decibels: 48 dBA


Vantec ThermoFlow
Air based temperature controlled probe
*12 Volt DC with Molex connecter / transformer not included
*Dual Ball bearing
*Fan guard with mounting hardware included
*54.3 â€"œ 92 CFM
*Maximum decibels: 29 - 39 dBA

I went with the Vantec quieter than the Icecap but a few CFM less
and they were only $11 plus power supply.

I got 5 and a power supply for less than 2 Icecaps!

I know that a lot of people successfully use fans that are not intended for use with aquariums. However, keep in mind that the Ice Cap fans "are" designed for aquarium use and also include a few features that were not mentioned such as

*Polarity Protection
*Locked Rotor Protection
*Life expectancy of 78,000 hours which equals about 17.8 years if you run them for 12 hours per day.

Now I'm pretty sure they won't last that long, but I'd bet money that they will outlast a product that isn't designed to be around a salty environment such as the computer fans mentioned.

Please note that I to a fault firmly believe that you get what you pay for so more often then not, I lean towards more expensive products in general

 

[RudyinFL]

Greg did you buy the vantec's locally? I would like to try them......Rudy

 

[Sailor_jon]

Im using an icecap thermo sensor fan in my stereo cabinet..another good use for it! Only comes on when the equip is on..and warm.

 

[Ah64av8tor]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9367821#post9367821 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GlobaLPimP
I know that a lot of people successfully use fans that are not intended for use with aquariums. However, keep in mind that the Ice Cap fans "are" designed for aquarium use and also include a few features that were not mentioned such as

*Polarity Protection
*Locked Rotor Protection
*Life expectancy of 78,000 hours which equals about 17.8 years if you run them for 12 hours per day.

Now I'm pretty sure they won't last that long, but I'd bet money that they will outlast a product that isn't designed to be around a salty environment such as the computer fans mentioned.

Please note that I to a fault firmly believe that you get what you pay for so more often then not, I lean towards more expensive products in general

I have 2 120mm Icecap fans that have been running for over 5 years and think they will run for another 5. Great product and if not for needing to have 5 (which makes the price tag a little much) I would have bought them again.

If the Vantec fans only last a few years Ill still be ahead of the game.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9367701#post9367701 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefArtist
Mmmmm - might have to try them. I see they are mainly used to cool computers. Might have to go with these, at that price really can't go wrong. Were did you buy them? I see lots of places have them online.

I got them from
XPCGear for $10.69.

 

[Ah64av8tor]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9367806#post9367806 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Aquatic Hamster
When using the 12v fans do you need a 12v transformer for each or could I hook up 5 or 6 all to one transformer?

The fans draw .18amps max, with 5 I would need a power supply that would push 12v at 1 amp.
I got a 12v 1.5amp power supply from an electronics shop for $10.

 

[ReefArtist]

GlobaLPimP - I hear ya, bottom line that's the reason I'm asking now. My 65 has two 4" fans (29 bucks) they are loud, one for some reason stops once in a while and makes a strange noise. They are only a few months old. I do only need two - I can switch the ones on my living room (I need nice, quiet etc). I have been burned way to many times - man this is tuff!

 

[GlobaLPimP]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9368340#post9368340 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefArtist
GlobaLPimP - I hear ya, bottom line that's the reason I'm asking now. My 65 has two 4" fans (29 bucks) they are loud, one for some reason stops once in a while and makes a strange noise. They are only a few months old. I do only need two - I can switch the ones on my living room (I need nice, quiet etc). I have been burned way to many times - man this is tuff!

Don't get me wrong - they are not silent, but way more Quiet than any other fans I've heard.

 

[GlobaLPimP]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9368007#post9368007 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ah64av8tor
I have 2 120mm Icecap fans that have been running for over 5 years and think they will run for another 5. Great product and if not for needing to have 5 (which makes the price tag a little much) I would have bought them again.

That's cool. I wasn't trying to be offensive, just giving my opinion. Sorry if I came across that way.

 

[ReefArtist]

Yea - if I had 5 to purchase that would be very hard to put down 250$ for fans. Needing two isn't to bad but at 100$ it's not easy either. But I don't want to have problems, have to replace in a year or so etc. If I upgrade later down the road, I'd already have a few nice fans. My other fans will be just junked if they make it that long.

 

[jenate20]

orion fans are awesome there just a little expensive but push alot of air for the size and are pretty indestructable (imo)