Debating on a Clip on fan or small computer fan???

Asbury030 · Sep 19, 2017

Well... I Made a new canopy for my 20 gallon tall. Right now I have a maxspect rzr on my tank, But I am switching to 1 24" actinic ReefBrite XHO and 2 T5s. I am worried about heat as my tank stays at about 78 degrees right now with the maxspect. I was debating on installing a small computer fan in the canopy to blow across the lights or blowing out of the canopy pulling the heat out while the lights are on? Or just buying a small clip on fan and putting it in the sump? What is your guys opinion on this?

oscargrumete61 · Sep 19, 2017

I got one computer fan works good and you do not even notice is there , so in my opinion its better that bulky clip fan

azbigjohn · Sep 19, 2017

Asbury030 said:
Well... I Made a new canopy for my 20 gallon tall. Right now I have a maxspect rzr on my tank, But I am switching to 1 24" actinic ReefBrite XHO and 2 T5s. I am worried about heat as my tank stays at about 78 degrees right now with the maxspect. I was debating on installing a small computer fan in the canopy to blow across the lights or blowing out of the canopy pulling the heat out while the lights are on? Or just buying a small clip on fan and putting it in the sump? What is your guys opinion on this?

Really depends on the size and shape of your canopy. For a 20 gallon tank, a computer fan should move enough air, but if the canopy seals airflow to your tank, it will limit evaporation enough to limit cooling. If your sump is open, a clip on fan would be more effective, but more obvious.

AdamNC · Sep 19, 2017

I use a small 6" Wal-Mart Mainstays fan with it connected to my Apex on the chiller setting. When the AC went out this past spring it kept my tank 5 degrees f cooler. I have it placed on a half wall for the loft so it blows across the tank from one side to the other.

Asbury030 · Sep 19, 2017

The canopy is closed on both sides and the front. The back is open. Also, is it better for the fan to blow in the canopy or blow out of the canopy?

harryball69 · Sep 19, 2017

blow in. this way your putting cool air into your canopy forcing out the hot.

Asbury030 · Sep 20, 2017

harryball69 said:
blow in. this way your putting cool air into your canopy forcing out the hot.

Thank you

Salty1962 · Sep 21, 2017

On my last canopy I had a fan pushing and one pulling. A small, @5"", pushing air in the canopy would work as well. I use one in my sump.

George Lopez · Sep 22, 2017

I use a computer fan pushing into my sump for the tank cooling but for lighting id still use a computer fan but pushing out to pull the heat out of the canopy set as high as possible.

djbetterly · Sep 22, 2017

Psi · Sep 22, 2017

I tried both a computer fan and a 6" clip on fan on my original 110 gallon display tank. The computer fan didn't seem to move enough air but the clip on fan works well for me. I too have it controlled by my Apex to come on if temp reaches 78.1 and to go off below 77.5. During the Texas summer this setup kept me right at 77.9 to 78.1 consistently.

oceanfreak09 · Sep 22, 2017

djbetterly said:

This is awesome looking!! And clean!! Nice work!!

reefaboo · Sep 22, 2017

djbetterly said:

Wow this is nice

Did you build it yourself or ...

djbetterly · Sep 23, 2017

reefaboo said:
Wow this is nice

Did you build it yourself or ...

I did, I have a CNC machine here at home

George Lopez · Sep 23, 2017

lucky...

djbetterly · Sep 23, 2017

Drop me an email....in signature

rkpetersen · Sep 23, 2017

I use a Tunze AquaWind on a Reefer 450. https://www.marinedepot.com/Tunze_A...uarium_Lighting-Tunze-TZ8611-FILTACAF-vi.html I tried a different tank fan first but it was much weaker. It's designed to clip on the edge of a tank, which it does securely and it worked fine to keep the tank in a narrow range around 78.5 in the hottest part of summer (in my air conditioned home). However, I then found that it sits perfectly, at an angle, on the edge of the acrylic-mesh screened polycarbonate lid I bought to keep the wrasses from killing themselves. As others have done, I've plugged this device into the Apex and that setup works perfectly, turning the fan on and off as needed. During the upcoming cooler months, I'll just leave it plugged in and velcro it to the back of the tank, where it will remain until needed again. It's very effective for what it is and how easy it is to use, but if there were the combination of a serious heat wave and prolonged power outage, I'd probably need a chiller, even with the lights off.