fan placement / fixture placement question - Page 2

james67 · #11 (**permalink**) 02-04-2012, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian317

Would you think just one of these fans will do the job or should I use two due to the size of the fixture/tank?

and

I have a plastic divider (splash guard if you will) on the fixture, should I take this off so the air reaches the lamps? Kinda a dumb question, but just wanna cover it all.

Thank you very much all for the assistance

one should be fine. think of it this way. your simply trying to move air between the light and tank so that instead of the air heating up and the glass top getting warm, your replacing it with cool fresh air constantly. this should knock temps down a few degrees.

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyingSquirrel

There's a good video by user: james67 on these forums with excellent instructions. The 2 40mm just won't cut it

funny, i remember james67 showing 40mm fans in that video....

it depends on the fan your using. the 40mms i use push 24cfm at max power. 2 of those might be overkill for a 55. and now delta has come out with a new line (louder and unavailable yet) which push 27cfm out of a 40mm (18K rpm!)

james

Brian317 · #12 (**permalink**) 02-04-2012, 09:39 AM

Sounds great and that is what I need. I'll look today when I get off work.....and sleep that is. I'll check out Amazon too, they usually have some good priced items.

Thanks for the help !

flyingSquirrel · #13 (**permalink**) 02-05-2012, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by james67

funny, i remember james67 showing 40mm fans in that video....

it depends on the fan your using. the 40mms i use push 24cfm at max power. 2 of those might be overkill for a 55. and now delta has come out with a new line (louder and unavailable yet) which push 27cfm out of a 40mm (18K rpm!)
james

Ah yes, sorry. I didn't know what I was saying...Note to self: don't take a sleeping pill and then try to give advice on a forum. Apologies to everybody here for that slip up

And btw, wow, those are some crazy 40mm fans! Damn, I can't believe the cfms on those tiny fans. Apparently I made a mistake when I bought 2x 40mm that are only 5cfms..

james67 · #14 (**permalink**) 02-05-2012, 03:44 PM

no need to be sorry. its all good.

james

crittermom · #15 (**permalink**) 02-06-2012, 02:02 AM

I just recently built a small 18 gallon tank, and am using 4 18 inch t5ho bulbs over it and was dealing with the same issue. I built a "hood" with 3 sides, like you mentioned and my light sits on some "risers" just inside the frame. Since I had lights already in a fixture, I couldn't use them inside a true hood, so this was the only thing I could think of to make it look nice. I then use computer fans to blow acrross the glass to cool it. It looks really clean, and it has to to be in our living room (according to hubby) and I actually really like that it blocks the light from coming out the front and blinding you when you look at it. Then, I have to lift the light fixture off to work on the tank, but the hood stays in place and the glass can lift up with it on. I'm definately no carpenter, but it was really simple, and I plan on making one for my pentagon tank as well. I'll try to post a pic when I get home tonight.

Rusty_Shackleford · #16 (**permalink**) 02-06-2012, 02:39 AM

Hey Brian, if it were me I would try to build a frame or something along those lines first. If you design it right you may have the option of lowering the lights in winter and raising them in the summer. If you're still looking for fans here is a site I bought some from last year. I bought some AZOO fans, which I don't see listed on this page. Hope this helps.

Petstore - Search Results for Cooling Fans&modaf=

Brian317 · #17 (**permalink**) 02-06-2012, 03:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crittermom

I just recently built a small 18 gallon tank, and am using 4 18 inch t5ho bulbs over it and was dealing with the same issue. I built a "hood" with 3 sides, like you mentioned and my light sits on some "risers" just inside the frame. Since I had lights already in a fixture, I couldn't use them inside a true hood, so this was the only thing I could think of to make it look nice. I then use computer fans to blow acrross the glass to cool it. It looks really clean, and it has to to be in our living room (according to hubby) and I actually really like that it blocks the light from coming out the front and blinding you when you look at it. Then, I have to lift the light fixture off to work on the tank, but the hood stays in place and the glass can lift up with it on. I'm definately no carpenter, but it was really simple, and I plan on making one for my pentagon tank as well. I'll try to post a pic when I get home tonight.

That is exactly what I was planning to do, and may still try even if I get fans. If you have the time to post up a few pics, I would be thankful !

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty_Shackleford

Hey Brian, if it were me I would try to build a frame or something along those lines first. If you design it right you may have the option of lowering the lights in winter and raising them in the summer. If you're still looking for fans here is a site I bought some from last year. I bought some AZOO fans, which I don't see listed on this page. Hope this helps.

Petstore - Search Results for Cooling Fans&modaf=

Yo !

I'm going to see what all I'd need to build one, as I may still try to build something along with getting fans as well. Just a few pieces of lumber, should not be TOO bad....I think hah.

I was looking at AZOO fans. I'm bidding on one now, hopefully I get it and try it out. Seems like a safer way to do it.

Rusty_Shackleford · #18 (**permalink**) 02-06-2012, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian317

I was looking at AZOO fans. I'm bidding on one now, hopefully I get it and try it out. Seems like a safer way to do it.

I like my AZOO fans. They work nice. I wish they would make them reversible though, at the flick of a switch I mean. I hope you pay less for yours than I did for mine.

crittermom · #19 (**permalink**) 02-06-2012, 06:04 AM

Here's the front view of my hood/fixture stand. I'll take some pics tomorrow of how the inside is built.

crittermom · #20 (**permalink**) 02-06-2012, 04:17 PM

Here is the inside of the hood. The light fixture actually just sits on the little inside "risers". It fits perfectly, and can't fall in, then since they are thin enough, I can still raise the glass door. You could make the risers any height, and next time, I'll probably use wider wood for the trim part so that the light actually looks hidden inside. This way is not adjustable at all, but so far it works for me! Good luck, and please post pictures of however you decide to do it!