Cooling fans for T-5

[mling]

The six 54watt T-5s in my canopy is generating alot more heat than I anticipated. I do have space for cooling fans in the back of the tank. I have never installed these fans before. As you can see from the pic of the back of my tank, I can install some 4" fans at the back of the canopy. Any suggestions as to what and how many I should get ?

 

Any one used these Azoo cooling fans before ? -> http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem.asp...71021&tab=0

 

The temp is as high as 80 at night, after a whole day of lighting, so the heater only kicks on well after the lights go out. I do know I am going to need fans come summer, even though this is located in the basement it is always cool, other then the morning when the sun light get to the tank for a short period.

 

 

 

Appreciate any advise

[rioreef]

You can get a couple of 12v computer case fans, a 12v wall plug (from say an old cell phone), correctly sized wire, and connectors. Cut the wire from the plug to expose the wires first. Then add additional wiring to each fan connecting to the plug wire at the same point. This way the fans are wired in parallel and not series, this is important. Parallel and the fans draw the same amount of power from the transformer, in series, the second one draws from the power supplied to the first fan. Now you can mount to your hood. Remember to secure the wires with wire nuts and heat shrink the connection with rubber tubing or use electrical tape.

 

 

I have an open back setup like yours and 6x T5's and I just secured the fans with two screws with rubber washers into the wood support running along the back of the hood (what the hinges are screwed into). I put them in near the ends and blow air into the hood and it swirls around and the air exits out the middle back, I can feel the heat coming out. Also, with the fans at the ends, they are easy to service and clean. Not a close up, but you can see them in the corner.

 

 

The size of the 12v transformer plug needs to be able to handle at least or more amps than what the fans do.

 

Speed of the fan and noise are a factor, so research to get fans that have a high cfm and low dB level.

 

Sounds like a lot, but it is easy and very cheap to do.

 

Here is link to the ones I use. Into my fourth year with them.

Stealth fans

 

BTW, cpu fans can have three wires - black, red, and yellow. The black and red are for power and the yellow is for temperature control. You can remove the yellow, it is not needed unless you get a little more fancy.

 

My fans are controlled through my Reefkeeper controller, they are turned on with the lights and turned off 15 minutes after the lights go off to dissipate any heat left.

[mling]

That's what I call a detailed instructions ! Thanks for your help, rioreef !

Your canopy must be very similar to mine since yours is an oceanic too. Where did u put your moonlight ? Are you happy with one 1Watt ?

Are u going to be at this afternoon's event ?

[rioreef]

No I am not going to the event.

 

As far as the moonlight, I cut a piece of eggcrate with four squares and cut out the centers and was left with one large square and laid it on the glass center support. I then just put the moonlight on top of that. I talked to Chris from IceCap and he said it would be fine in this configuration, so close to the glass.

 

In reality it should have two in order to cover the entire tank, but one is fine for me and the tank now.

 

If you decide to do the DIY fans, just PM me if you need help.