Let's add cooling fans to my reef!

[Harold Green]

I have to agree with AZ a vent with fans blowing in, coming on with the MH would be the way to go. Perhaps drilling through into the side cabinets will make the vents less noticeable. I don't know if you have a sump under the tank but venting it might also help reduce temperature.

 

[DMan]

http://www.marinedepot.com/UP_Aqua_...ium_Lighting-UP_Aqua-AZ64048-FILTACAF-vi.html

clip a few of these around the sump. keep in mind your evaporation will increase. if you are using a controller use that to turn them on at a certain temp.

 

[Harold Green]

Just an added thought. Would it be possible to vent the tank into the fish room and up through the roof? A solar powered vent could then pull the hot air out.

 

[d2mini]

You can buy a digital watt meter that you plug into the wall and then plug your chiller into it. It gives the running watts plus can give you a usage tally for total usage.

Yep, that's what I did. Results above.

 

[d2mini]

Check the voltage. When the fans are on, if the voltage isn't 12+, then it's for sure the power supply.

Or, if you have a computer power supply you can access, plug one of the fans into that.

The digital meter says 120 Volts, .02 Amps, 1.6 Watts, 3.5 VA, 0.44 P.F.

 

[AZDesertRat]

What is the DC voltage to the fan, not the AC voltage to the power supply. You can check this with a volt/ohm meter. I run my fans at 7.5, 9, 10.5 or 12 volts DC depending on the cooling needs.

 

[frogman_reefer]

If you want a premium fan that's incredibly quiet and moves a bunch of air efficiently - there's only 1 choice - Noctua

This is a 140mm - http://www.amazon.com/Premium-Quali...pebp=1434131498824&perid=1BFF543784A64670B7C1

It seems exorbitant for $20+ bucks, but I swear it's worth every penny.

So this fan. What's the best mounting strategy for it?

 

[cope413]

I designed and 3d printed mounts that fit on the bracing of my 20g sump.

 

[Crackem]

Which fan is better?

Noctua 120mm, Anti-Stall Knobs Design,SSO2 Bearing PWM Case Cooling Fan NF-S12A PWM https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BEZZBFO/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_ydDPvbPD9TFRE

 

[d2mini]

What is the DC voltage to the fan, not the AC voltage to the power supply. You can check this with a volt/ohm meter. I run my fans at 7.5, 9, 10.5 or 12 volts DC depending on the cooling needs.

I don't understand how I would check that. Don't I need a bare wire or something?

 

[debby]

i replaced old Mag-style pumps for moving h2o from sump (in manhattan we call a fish room a duplex apartment!) to display with Sicce pumps. Chiller has barely been on since.