Cooling Fans

ccejka · Oct 12, 2019

I have seen a few DIY cooling fans using basic computer fans. Just curious if any one on here has done one themselves and what parts they used.

I am looking to do 3 on to one plug if possible! Drop me some pictures and parts list!

pdxmonkeyboy · Oct 13, 2019

For the display or sump?

Righteous · Oct 13, 2019

I’m using a 6 inch clip-on fan in my sump. Works great... check out my build thread in my sig. Fan post should be near the end.

sawdonkey · Oct 13, 2019

“Infinity AC” fans from amazon are super cheap, look great, and work well.

Gareth elliott · Oct 13, 2019

Cant find a picture but used computer fans, a black face plate for a tv cabinet use and used rubber spacers i had lying around to create a little bit of a gap from the wall. Blows over the top of my aquarium if gets too hot

ccejka · Oct 13, 2019

Sump or display was another question. This is an in wall tank but I do prefer to keep a screen over top of it so I was leaving towards sump.

How are you guys wiring them to 110v? Is it as simple as take a 110 plug in cut it and wire it together?

Gareth elliott · Oct 13, 2019

I picked usb powered ones and plugged them into an outlet on my power bar. Was cheaper than buying a breakout box for me as i had a spare outlet.

pdxmonkeyboy · Oct 13, 2019

If it is an inwall and you want cooling. I would mount a small office fan and the wall and just plug it in.

Blowing down on the tank has the same effect as blowing across it.

I cool my entire 400 gallon system down with a little turbo fan.

ccejka · Oct 13, 2019

Brian Bieger said:
If it is an inwall and you want cooling. I would mount a small office fan and the wall and just plug it in.

Blowing down on the tank has the same effect as blowing across it.

I cool my entire 400 gallon system down with a little turbo fan.

I think I am going to do this I think I will try it on my sump because the tank is covered. (I have a record locally for carpet surfing fish)

Apotack · Oct 13, 2019

coolerguys has a lot of parts and pieces

Jet915 · Oct 13, 2019

sawdonkey said:
“Infinity AC” fans from amazon are super cheap, look great, and work well.

This, I use them to cool my t5s which are in a canopy. I decided to get a 4th t5 ballast so I just got a 3rd fan. Seem to work great.

ccejka · Oct 13, 2019

Well went with a 6" desk fan I mounted to the brace on my DIY 75 gallon tank sump.

I have noticed a difference already!

Bells>Waimea · Oct 13, 2019

Not to hijack, but I am doing the same thing with a 80mm computer fan from amazon on a fusion 20. I want it to be mounted cleanly blowing down on the water, not across.

Can't find a goose neck clamp on amazon, and really not sure how to mount this.

What's the best way to mount cleanly blowing on the display?

ccejka · Oct 13, 2019

maybe post a few pictures where you want to mount it and that would let people brain storm ideas

Nanoreefer4ever · Oct 13, 2019

Any 10$ fan at walmart work perfectly great. Have 1 in sump 1 point toward display.

George Lopez · Oct 14, 2019

ccejka said:
Sump or display was another question. This is an in wall tank but I do prefer to keep a screen over top of it so I was leaving towards sump.

How are you guys wiring them to 110v? Is it as simple as take a 110 plug in cut it and wire it together?

Most computer fans are 12v but low amperage i have 2 fans with their tips cut off then the cables going to a12v plug so that i can connect and disconnect it from the 12v power supply if needed during maintenance.

Bells>Waimea said:
Not to hijack, but I am doing the same thing with a 80mm computer fan from amazon on a fusion 20. I want it to be mounted cleanly blowing down on the water, not across.

Can't find a goose neck clamp on amazon, and really not sure how to mount this.

What's the best way to mount cleanly blowing on the display?

As to this i have a sheet of acrylic with two holes cut out of it to allow them to blow straight down as well as mounting holes drilled through to allow for stainless steel bolts to pass through to keep the fans from shifting out of position.

RocketEngineer · Oct 14, 2019

I picked up some $5 computer fans and https://www.rapidled.com/dual-fan-kit-w-o-fans/ and put them in the hood of my last tank. Plug and go.

NoLobster · Oct 14, 2019

I used the Amazon fan which comes with a wall outlet. It works great.

NoLobster · Oct 14, 2019

Evaporative cooling is the main mechanism for fan based cooling on a tank. It works by replacing saturated air over the tank with "dry" air that promotes evaporation which takes heat from the water. You mainly want to ensure you have airflow over as much surface area of the water as possible to promote heat loss. You don't really need to blast the surface with air though, there is a diminishing return where more flow doesn't change the evap rate.

William Robinson · Feb 28, 2020

For anyone looking for a print file

This is for 8mm glass thickness but can be tightened with either a wedge or drill and tap for a 4-40 nylon screw.

Link to 3D Print File