Clip on Fan to Lower Tank Temperature

CoralReefer1019 · Jul 31, 2017

By using a small fan that is clipped onto my sump directed towards the water inside will help to control tank temperature?

bsagea · Jul 31, 2017

We have them on all (3) of our tanks. We use them on the sumps as well as on the tanks themselves. They may not be the prettiest things out there, but they do work. You might see a bit more evaporation when you use them as well.

Ghxst · Jul 31, 2017

A tiny 20mmx20mm computer fan cools my bio cube 4 deg f. I second the evap, it just about tripled but an ato solves that.

CoralReefer1019 · Jul 31, 2017

bsagea said:
We have them on all (3) of our tanks. We use them on the sumps as well as on the tanks themselves. They may not be the prettiest things out there, but they do work. You might see a bit more evaporation when you use them as well.

yea I just picked up a cheap 6" fan from walmart $8, I will mount it later, should I face the fan towards the water in the sump?

CoralReefer1019 · Jul 31, 2017

Ghxst said:
A tiny 20mmx20mm computer fan cools my bio cube 4 deg f. I second the evap, it just about tripled but an ato solves that.

yea I run a ATO as well so that will help with evap

CoralReefer1019 · Jul 31, 2017

I will run the fan the same time my tank lights are on to compensate for the heat, I live in FL and its hot

bsagea · Jul 31, 2017

CoralReefer1019 said:
yea I just picked up a cheap 6" fan from walmart $8, I will mount it later, should I face the fan towards the water in the sump?

All of our face down to the top of the water We have the ones that clip to the tanks and are made for aquariums. If you have an APEX, you can program them to come on when your tank water reaches a certain temp.

Ours are similar to this in various sizes
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M9UV9LI?psc=1

Ghxst · Jul 31, 2017

That's the problem right there, Florida!!

ReeferBud · Jul 31, 2017

I recently bought two $12 6" clip on fans on Amazon . I was amazed that they had just about the same cooling capacity as my 1/2 hp tradewind chiller. Since installing the fans, my chiller went from working 16 hrs/day to just about 3 hrs/day.

I installed mine on my light rack blowing air directly on the water.

Highly recommended!

Intricateart · Jul 31, 2017

Good thing here in florida is no heaters!

mstockmaster · Jul 31, 2017

I use one mounted in my canopy. I have both it and my heater running on this controller.
Inkbird Itc-308 Digital Temperature Controller Outlet Thermostat, 2-stage, 1100w, w/ Sensor https://www.amazon.com/dp/B011296704/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_9I-FzbRQQ5WYW
Works flawlessly, I set my heater to maintain the water temp one degree above what the controller is set at. That way I have a failsafe in case the controller gets stuck on.

CoralReefer1019 · Aug 1, 2017

thanks all for the good replies

Ocelaris · Aug 3, 2017

Yes, it works wonders. Also if you're bumping up against high temps, open the cabinet doors on the stand, that dropped mine another few degrees. Without the fan, I'd be in the 82-84 degree range consistently, with the fan I'm in the 80 degree range, and with the fan AND the cabinet doors open I'm in thet 76-78 degree range. You do use quite a bit more evaporative water, but my corals are MUCH happier at the lower temps.

CoralReefer1019 · Aug 3, 2017

Ocelaris said:
Yes, it works wonders. Also if you're bumping up against high temps, open the cabinet doors on the stand, that dropped mine another few degrees. Without the fan, I'd be in the 82-84 degree range consistently, with the fan I'm in the 80 degree range, and with the fan AND the cabinet doors open I'm in thet 76-78 degree range. You do use quite a bit more evaporative water, but my corals are MUCH happier at the lower temps.

where is your fan located?

sil40sx · Aug 3, 2017

I had a huge temp spike last month when summer kicked off, and couple SPS RTN from the base. Temp went up to 83, good thing I was able to frag/saved some.

I bought a 16" clip on fan (4 x 120mm), and my temp never reached 82. I used my Apex to turn it on when temp reached 81. RTN stopped as soon as I maintained my temp lower than 82 deg. And no, it wasn't my alk or ca, because I checked.

CoralReefer1019 · Aug 3, 2017

sil40sx said:
I had a huge temp spike last month when summer kicked off, and couple SPS RTN from the base. Temp went up to 83, good thing I was able to frag/saved some.

I bought a 16" clip on fan (4 x 120mm), and my temp never reached 82. I used my Apex to turn it on when temp reached 81. RTN stopped as soon as I maintained my temp lower than 82 deg. And no, it wasn't my alk or ca, because I checked.

awesome! where did you place your fan?

sil40sx · Aug 3, 2017

On my sump. I also forgot to mention my total water volume is around 65g.

CoralReefer1019 · Aug 3, 2017

sil40sx said:
On my sump. I also forgot to mention my total water volume is around 65g.

I just placed mine under my cabinet, blowing the water in my sump

revhtree · Aug 3, 2017

My tank has recently been going slightly above 81. I added a fan to the sump and now it stays at 78. Cheap and also has helped bring up my PH a little. Only downside is more evaporation but that's what we have automation for!

jsh mee · Aug 3, 2017

Another option if you want to do something in addition to a fan or instead of a fan is to have a frozen litre water bottle and drop it in the sump if temp seems to be spking. I always keep one in my freezer in case of emergency.