How often do you run your canopy fans?

[southerntnreefer]

Do you have them connected to your tank controller? Do they run all the time, or are they on their own temp controller?

Hey all heres my thoughts.

I have passive cooling in the top, and a 3 inch gap in the back. Was planning on a couple canopy fans just to shoot new air in the canopy.

Plan A buy a Reef Angel expansion hub, and second relay box, and get some fans that way ( good for future expansion) run fans off my humidity module.

Plan B let fans always run

Plan C get fans with built in temp controller.

Thoughts?

 

[rfgonzo]

When I ran MH's fans would run 24 hours a day. 2 fans would push air in on one side of canopy and 2 fans would draw the air out. Now running LED's I have no need for fans.

 

[JCOLE]

I run LEDs and I still run fans out of habit from running MH's in the past. Fans are hooked to Apex and kick on when Whites kick on.

 

[southerntnreefer]

My lights have built in fans, but im mostly worried about canopy humidity and somewhat heat. ill have a pair of hydra 32s in there.

 

[southerntnreefer]

Here's the canopy

 

[rfgonzo]

Looking at your canopy it looks like you will be fine. The opening in back and space on top should be adequate for air.

 

[southerntnreefer]

Looking at your canopy it looks like you will be fine. The opening in back and space on top should be adequate for air.

You think? I had the builder leave me room along the back, for cords anyways, and some passive cooling to let the light fans kick heat out of the canopy anyways. So you dont think i need anything at all?

We usually run the house in the summer around 73 maybe 74. ( Live in TN summers can be brutal) i usually set my heaters at 78 to 79. Never had a canopy before so hence my questions.

 

[madweazl]

I have the fans come on with the lights. The LEDs bring one set online and the T5s bring the second set online. I havent found a need to control the speed of the fans as they keep the canopy temps down on low.

 

[southerntnreefer]

I have the fans come on with the lights. The LEDs bring one set online and the T5s bring the second set online. I havent found a need to control the speed of the fans as they keep the canopy temps down on low.

Do you think with my setup above ( paired with 2 Hydra 32) that i need any fans at all? I figured i was just going to get some USb ones with the power brick, plug it into my reef angel, and use it off the humidity module, and or a temp probe too to control when they come on or off.

 

[rfgonzo]

You think? I had the builder leave me room along the back, for cords anyways, and some passive cooling to let the light fans kick heat out of the canopy anyways. So you dont think i need anything at all?

We usually run the house in the summer around 73 maybe 74. ( Live in TN summers can be brutal) i usually set my heaters at 78 to 79. Never had a canopy before so hence my questions.

IMHO I think your good. If you had a small mesh screen over the back opening to keep jumpers from jumping, I would say you need a fan. But if it's open like your pic you'll be good. If not you can always add a fan at a later date.

 

[southerntnreefer]

IMHO I think your good. If you had a small mesh screen over the back opening to keep jumpers from jumping, I would say you need a fan. But if it's open like your pic you'll be good. If not you can always add a fan at a later date.

what if i was using say BRS clear netting.... that was a plan.

 

[Oliver d]

In summer fans run 24/7 in winter the fans are off.

 

[rfgonzo]

what if i was using say BRS clear netting.... that was a plan.

Looks like BRS netting is 1/4 inch holes so you should be good still IMO. If you used a screen like on your windows and door that could cause issues.

 

[southerntnreefer]

Looks like BRS netting is 1/4 inch holes so you should be good still IMO. If you used a screen like on your windows and door that could cause issues.

Boom! thats what i was going to use to keep gobies in, as i wasnt looking to do full screen tops since it was a bow front unless i absolutely needed to. Ill keep an eye on it, and if i need to. ill pick up some and a wall timer to get by short term. ill be monitoring humidity in the canopy anyways via reef angel.

 

[PatW]

I have LEDs. My fans kick on at about 78.8 degrees and off at 78.7 degrees. Generally, they run a bit after the lights ramp up and stay on till the lights ramp down.

 

[madweazl]

I wouldnt bother with a sensor for humidity in the canopy; waste of money if you ask me. As for fans in the canopy, you'll know right away. If the lights come on and the water temp goes up, you need some airflow.

 

[southerntnreefer]

I wouldnt bother with a sensor for humidity in the canopy; waste of money if you ask me. As for fans in the canopy, you'll know right away. If the lights come on and the water temp goes up, you need some airflow.

what about in the stand? I scored the module from Reef Angel for free, so figured using it would be good.

 

[Phildago]

I run 3 fans on my diy led fixture. The fans cool the fixture and give good air exchange as the back of my canopy is open.

 

[southerntnreefer]

the hydras have built in fans on the top that id imagine will help?

 

[madweazl]

what about in the stand? I scored the module from Reef Angel for free, so figured using it would be good.

I've never had humidity issues but it may have some value for you in there. I'm sure somebody has got creative with them and figured out a good use. I'll likely run one in our basement fish room to trigger a dehumidifier as things evolve down there but it isn't necessary currently.