Do you use a fan on your tank?

Peace River · Jul 7, 2023

During the summers I often use a fan blowing across the top of my reef tank as part of the temperature control plan. The fan that I have been using for many years just recently stopped working and my replacement fan arrived today. While I was setting it up - it is controlled my my Hydros - I was wondering who else uses a fan on their tank? If so, what type of fan do you use? Do you have it on a controller or timer?

Lps_lover12 · Jul 7, 2023

Luckily I don’t have to, my ac is on whenever it’s hot out and it’s cool enough in the house. I was thinking of getting one in case anything ever happens and the ac doesn’t work, just to be safe. If I did have to get one I would have it controlled by my apex

TheHarold · Jul 7, 2023

I made my own system that is controllable with Hydros or Apex. Provides about 5-6 degrees of cooling by directly blowing air across the ~75g tank. IP67 waterproof fan should last a long time!

Peace River · Jul 7, 2023

TheHarold said:
I made my own system that is controllable with Hydros or Apex. Provides about 5-6 degrees of cooling by directly air across the tank. IP67 waterproof fan should last a long time!

Another amazing and innovative design! I love your work every since the rotating coral tree!

revhtree · Jul 7, 2023

TheHarold said:
I made my own system that is controllable with Hydros or Apex. Provides about 5-6 degrees of cooling by directly blowing air across the ~75g tank. IP67 waterproof fan should last a long time!

That's killer! It needs it's own thread!!

Auquanut · Jul 7, 2023

I do. Originally, the AC alone was good enough for my 125. But when I placed the new tank between the source of airflow and the 125, I noticed the temp start to rise. I mounted a fan on the wall over the mesh top of the 125, and set it to come on and go off with the lights, and the problem was solved.

Rubymoon286 · Jul 7, 2023

I have a walmart clip on fan on my sump and have it blow across the top of my sump controlled by my hydros. My AC does a fair job of keeping the reef cool enough, but during the heat of the day without a fan I get up to 80 occasionally so I run the fan from 2pm - 8pm after sunset.

TurboTang · Jul 7, 2023

I live in a warm climate, so I'm able to turn my heater off for half the year. Lights warm the tank just enough to keep it around 78-80 during day, and it's a large enough water volume to stay above 76 at night. But a couple recent dino problems required use of large uv at low flow and this required a cheap Walmart fan to keep things in control

paragrouper · Jul 7, 2023

Hey, if it’s in the same room it counts, right?

BaliReefBox · Jul 7, 2023

I have a chiller and also run a 5" computer fan across the sump 24/7 to try to lenghten the chiller cycling...

Solasis · Jul 7, 2023

I just run a small desktop fan in my sump. Drops my tank temp by 1.5-2 degrees.

Stephen8169301 · Jul 7, 2023

My fan from Amazon it’s loud but only comes on once or twice a day

FUNGI · Jul 7, 2023

Clip on 5" with Inkbird controller

thatmanMIKEson · Jul 7, 2023

do I use a fan, lol! your fan right I use a fan!!!! I actually use 6 120mm fans 5 hannging from my lights and a small desk style fan "vornado" and one 120mm fan directed at my sump, they go on all the time via controller to bring down the tank temperature they run year round throughout the day. only the fans come on the heaters rarely do almost never.

Reefer Matt · Jul 7, 2023

Thanks for this thread,@Peace River ! I've been having high temps with my uv running lately. This thread was like a "uh duh"! moment for me. Gonna add a fan.

HudsonReefer2.0 · Jul 7, 2023

No fan but lucky to have my utility included so my AC is prime.

revhtree · Jul 9, 2023

Reefer Matt said:
Thanks for this thread,@Peace River ! I've been having high temps with my uv running lately. This thread was like a "uh duh"! moment for me. Gonna add a fan.

It will make a huge difference but be prepared for more evaporation and salt creep! Worth it though!

shadow_k · Jul 9, 2023

I actually bought a portable ac just for my reef tank haha !

Reefer Matt · Jul 9, 2023

revhtree said:
It will make a huge difference but be prepared for more evaporation and salt creep! Worth it though!

Just to test it out, I put my exhaust fan (box fan) for my Reef Cave in front of the sump with the doors open. I put the fan on the medium setting and you can see the results below.

I plugged it into the Apex, and had it initially come on at 79°F, but increased it to 79.5°F because it worked so well. As a permanent fix, I am going to install a smaller fan to keep in the sump area.

This is why I love R2R. You get reminders and new info everyday.

Peace River · Jul 9, 2023

@Reefer Matt - that looks like the start of a new video!!!

You may also want to experiment with a smaller fan directed across the top of the water (and tilted slightly down toward the water). I have tried a range of solutions like multiple 4" computer case fans, Vornado fans, and more. I like the Vornado fans, but after seeing @TheHarold's fan, I may be reaching out to him soon to see if he can make more! I realize that what you did was a quick test, but I have mine on a timer so it only comes on during the day, which limits the evaporation and any heat from the fan motor when the extra cooling isn't necessary.