I'm looking for a cheap source for fans to cool my canopy. I'm thinking I have a couple of old computer cases lying around and thought I might use the power supply and a pair of case cooling fans (12VDC). Has anyone tried this and/or does is anyone have sugggestions, concerns, or other advice? Not sure the fans will pull enough airflow to make much of a difference. Also considering getting a pair of quality 120VAC fans from Radio Shack but those run $25 a pop so I figured the old computer fan option was worth a shot. Mabye someone knows where to located some cheap AC fans from old electronic equipment??? Open to suggestions! Thanks.
Tank too warm...need ideas on fan options
- Thread starter Augy
- Start date
tibbs2
New member
What I did was I used a hole saw to cut a hole in the side of my canopy to place the fan. I then bought a computer fan at DIT computers and I wired it to a variable voltage AC adapter that I bought at Wal-Mart in their electronic department. Works great and I can control the speed (and noise) of the fan.
Unfortunately the one fan in my canopy isn't enough to cool my tank so i bought a normal 4" fan from Walgreens for $7 and have that blowing on my sump.
I think the computer fan I bought was around $12. Call around a few computer shops. You should be able to get computer fans for cheaper than $25.
Unfortunately the one fan in my canopy isn't enough to cool my tank so i bought a normal 4" fan from Walgreens for $7 and have that blowing on my sump.
I think the computer fan I bought was around $12. Call around a few computer shops. You should be able to get computer fans for cheaper than $25.
I have several computer fans lying around. The $25 fan is an AC fan (rather than a DC computer cooling fan).
Did the fan on the sump make a difference? I'm thinking I need to move the hot air between the display surface and the MH fixture out of the canopy.
BTW, how much was the variable voltage adapter from Walmart?
Did the fan on the sump make a difference? I'm thinking I need to move the hot air between the display surface and the MH fixture out of the canopy.
BTW, how much was the variable voltage adapter from Walmart?
cabenn
New member
All I did was attach a clip fan to the back of my hood and have it blow across the surface of the water. Now that it is summer time I am seeing a lot more evaporation than I did in the winter time.
For those with fans, make sure you clean them regularly
I cleaned mine this past week and OMG was it dusty. There was hardly any air circulating out of the darn thing and after I cleaned it. WOW amazing difference
For those with fans, make sure you clean them regularly
I cleaned mine this past week and OMG was it dusty. There was hardly any air circulating out of the darn thing and after I cleaned it. WOW amazing difference fans
fans
I also use the computer fan in my hood. I don't think that it appreciably cools the tank so I use a clip on blowing on my sump. Yesterday I was already seeing temps in my tank in the mid 80's. I am going to add another fan short term to try and lower the temp to a survivable level. I lost the majority of my stock as temps exceeded 90 last summer. Been planning on plumbing my tank down to the basement and hooking up a couple of 50 gallon rubbermaids to cool it down, and add more volume, for some time.
Anybody ever try the dorm fridge route. From what I understand you add a bunch of line to your return and curl it up inside of the fridge. It sounds like it would be a lot cheaper than a chiller, energy wise and from an equipment standpoint.
fans
I also use the computer fan in my hood. I don't think that it appreciably cools the tank so I use a clip on blowing on my sump. Yesterday I was already seeing temps in my tank in the mid 80's. I am going to add another fan short term to try and lower the temp to a survivable level. I lost the majority of my stock as temps exceeded 90 last summer. Been planning on plumbing my tank down to the basement and hooking up a couple of 50 gallon rubbermaids to cool it down, and add more volume, for some time.
Anybody ever try the dorm fridge route. From what I understand you add a bunch of line to your return and curl it up inside of the fridge. It sounds like it would be a lot cheaper than a chiller, energy wise and from an equipment standpoint.
I'm going to try a couple of DC computer case fans hooked up to a computer power supply in my canopy as a test. If there is appreciable difference in temp, I'll make it a more permanent solution.
I may also put a small AC fan (akin to the clip-on variety) over my sump but I hate to waste a bunch of electricity and would rather find a cheaper, DC option.
I'll post back with whatever I find. The last few days my tank temp has crept up just over 83 during the day...a little too warm for my liking but the mushroom corals seem to love it,...seems like they are expanding!
I may also put a small AC fan (akin to the clip-on variety) over my sump but I hate to waste a bunch of electricity and would rather find a cheaper, DC option.
I'll post back with whatever I find. The last few days my tank temp has crept up just over 83 during the day...a little too warm for my liking but the mushroom corals seem to love it,...seems like they are expanding!
