Observation - LED Biocube 32 Fan

Smoke Inator

Smoke Inator

Member
So my lights are off for the next few days but, i fire them up for a few while i run the water tests.

The fan(s) seem very sluggish and louder than expected.
This weekend I will take the hood apart to check the size and see if i can find one that is quieter and more efficient.

Just a thought

RJ
 
I just got my 32bc today, hooked it up and also noticed that the fan is extremely loud, sounds like there is something in it.
That will be a mod to be on the lookout for.
 
Smoke Inator said:
So my lights are off for the next few days but, i fire them up for a few while i run the water tests.

The fan(s) seem very sluggish and louder than expected.
This weekend I will take the hood apart to check the size and see if i can find one that is quieter and more efficient.

Just a thought

RJ
Click to expand...

Mine is really quiet, in fact, the stock pump was louder until I replaced it with the MJ1200. Now I can hear the fan but when I put a sound meter on it, it only bumps up the ambient sounds in room by about 3-4 Db.
 
There's definately room to add another fan and remove and replace the existing fan. My fan has developed a rattle and seems under sized as well. Going to be replacing with a pc fan off amazon and adding another for a total of two.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk
 
Update - So I removed the fan today, it was very simple...10 screws for the cover, 2 for the fan and disconnect the wire.
The specs on the original fan are...
CF-12510M 50MM 2-Pin Ball Bearing Fan
Model: CF-12510M
Dimension: 50x50x10 MM
Voltage: DC 12V
Current: Max 0.15A
Bearing: Ball
Termination: 2-Wire / 2-Pin
Speed: 5,000RPM
Airflow: 12CFM
Noise: 32dBA

I had to go to a chinese site to figure this stuff out!
It looks like the same fan they put in the 8 & 14 biocube
Its an OEM style fan that retails for about $4 (unless you buy as a replacement part for $20)

So i ordered the following from amazon for $10
Its specs are roughly the same except for the height (20 vs 10) there is plenty of room in there for the added height.
It's LOUDER than the stock fan but, it moves more air.
Simple install procedure, same connector as the original.

Gdstime 50mm X 50mm X 20mm 5cm 2 Inch 12v Brushless Dc Cooling Cooler Fan
Dimensions 50x50x20
Voltage: DC 12V
Current: Max 0.15A
Bearing: Sleeve
Termination: 2-Wire / 2-Pin
Speed: 5,000RPM
Airflow: 16.5CFM
Noise: 26dBA

Then I ordered the following fan from amazon for $13
Its a 50x10 so the size is identical to the stock fan
It is MUCH QUIETER than the stock fan!
Same simple install procedure, same connector as original.

Scythe SY501012M 50mm x 10mm Silent Mini Kaze fan
Dimensions 50x50x10
Voltage: DC 12V
Termination: 2-Wire / 2-Pin
Noise Level 26.09 dBA
Air Flow 27 CFM
Fan Speed 4,500 rpm
Bearing: Sleeve / MTBF 30,000 hours
 
Smoke Inator said:
Update - So I removed the fan today, it was very simple...10 screws for the cover, 2 for the fan and disconnect the wire.
The specs on the original fan are...
CF-12510M 50MM 2-Pin Ball Bearing Fan
Model: CF-12510M
Dimension: 50x50x10 MM
Voltage: DC 12V
Current: Max 0.15A
Bearing: Ball
Termination: 2-Wire / 2-Pin
Speed: 5,000RPM
Airflow: 12CFM
Noise: 32dBA

I had to go to a chinese site to figure this stuff out!
It looks like the same fan they put in the 8 & 14 biocube
Its an OEM style fan that retails for about $4 (unless you buy as a replacement part for $20)

So i ordered the following from amazon for $10
Its specs are roughly the same except for the height (20 vs 10) there is plenty of room in there for the added height.
It's LOUDER than the stock fan but, it moves more air.
Simple install procedure, same connector as the original.

Gdstime 50mm X 50mm X 20mm 5cm 2 Inch 12v Brushless Dc Cooling Cooler Fan
Dimensions 50x50x20
Voltage: DC 12V
Current: Max 0.15A
Bearing: Sleeve
Termination: 2-Wire / 2-Pin
Speed: 5,000RPM
Airflow: 16.5CFM
Noise: 26dBA

Then I ordered the following fan from amazon for $13
Its a 50x10 so the size is identical to the stock fan
It is MUCH QUIETER than the stock fan!
Same simple install procedure, same connector as original.

Scythe SY501012M 50mm x 10mm Silent Mini Kaze fan
Dimensions 50x50x10
Voltage: DC 12V
Termination: 2-Wire / 2-Pin
Noise Level 26.09 dBA
Air Flow 27 CFM
Fan Speed 4,500 rpm
Bearing: Sleeve / MTBF 30,000 hours
Click to expand...

My fan initially was pretty quiet but has developed into a noisy fan. I am having a 50mm to 60mm fan adapter 3d printed and have ordered a 60mm fan with a lower rpm with the same airflow and the DBA goes from high 20's to 11. Hope that works. IT guy at work told me that most 50mm fans are crap since it is not a common size. There are alot more quality fans in the 60 mm size.

New fan will be only 1600 RPM as opposed to 5000+ so should be significantly quieter.
 
Last edited:
Just received mine today. Unpacked the tank and plugged in the lights; the fan is laughably loud. Like no way they actually intended it to be this loud. From time to time it will be near silent for a few seconds. Then it instantly reverts to a soft grinding sound, if that makes sense. Should I return it?
 
Mustangarrett said:
Just received mine today. Unpacked the tank and plugged in the lights; the fan is laughably loud. Like no way they actually intended it to be this loud. From time to time it will be near silent for a few seconds. Then it instantly reverts to a soft grinding sound, if that makes sense. Should I return it?
Click to expand...

The Biocube fans are crap. If you return it, the new one will be crap too.

You can replace the fan pretty easily. If you are doing a direct replacement, you need a 50mmx50mmX10mm fan. You can get them online for under 10 bucks. I tried a different 50X50X10 fan and it was a lot quieter, but not quiet enough for me since my tank is in my living room. I made an adapter using Lexan that allowed my to use a 60mmx60mmx20mm fan that runs at a much lower RPM and now my fan is so quiet I can't hear it running.
 
Just how crap are we talking? I mean this thing is at least twice as loud as my PC with eight plus fans in it.

Thanks for the reply.
 
Mustangarrett said:
Just how crap are we talking? I mean this thing is at least twice as loud as my PC with eight plus fans in it.

Thanks for the reply.
Click to expand...

I think a vibration has a lot to do with it. But yeah, the Biocube fans sucked on the 29 and it was not improved on the 32 except there is one less fan on the 32.

You either have to live with it or swap it out in my opinion. Kind of sucks considering what you paid for it.

It's the same with the return pump on the 32. It's the same crappy one they used on the 29. Most people swap out the pump also.

After owning a 32 for about 5 months now, I wouldn't say I regret getting it because its still a pretty good tank, but if I had to do it all over again, I would probably go a different direction. When its all said and done, I ended up replacing the fan, the pump and will replace the LED's after the first of the year. If someone was just going to go fish only, it's a pretty nice tank.
 
I'm starting to think I should have purchased just the tank. I like the lights so far, but I'm comparing them to compact florescence (not even T5s). If I tap on it, the fan is instantly quiet. Eh, I will get out the Dremel and make something work. Yeah, it definitely feels shitty to have paid for what's advertised as a premium tank only to instantly need to fix something as simple and cheep as a fan.
 
Probably should have purchased a 40B, or just the tank by itself. Oh well. You'll be fine if you're keeping mostly softies, LPS, and some zoanthids. It's easy enough to retrofit new lights, it just takes time, money, and DIY skills (but at least there are some choices for good kits).

I hate these stupid fans as well. They do their job, since if I don't run the fans, my LEDs will overheat and turn off, but they are too damn loud. I bought some generics on ebay but never got around to installing them...
 
Seattle_Reef said:
My fan is really quiet. Maybe there is a quality control, lot-to-lot issue.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I am starting to suspect that is the case. This thing is crazy loud. Like no way could they ever sell a single one loud. I've never heard a small DC fan come ever close to as loud as this thing gets. It's also intermittent. Sometimes it will be near silent for a few seconds. I suspect that is how it's always supposed to operate. Thanks for the reply.
 
If you screw the fan a tiny bit of a turn tighter does it quiet it? That as well as but less likely loosening the screw can help reduce noise/vibrations. Also may I suggest you put a little piece of rubber in the mounts.
 
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