Not The Most Critical Equipment Decision

MarlinHooker · 11/19/2009, 07:43 AM

I realize that selecting canopy fans may not be the most critical decision to make when setting up a new system but I'm trying to decide if fans sold for aquariums (like the IceCap fans) are worth the money or do most people buy cheaper computer fans and hook them up with power supplies? Noise is my main concern as I need the fans to be as quiet as possible but don't have a good feel for the 'db' ratings ... for example: is 35 db really noisy or really quite ?

Logzor · 11/19/2009, 07:51 AM

35db would be considered just above a "whisper". Personally, I think that is too loud for a small fan, those computer fans are cheap ($3.00). The nice icecap fans are probably much more quite. You definitely dont want it to sound like there are 3-4 people whispering from inside your hood, although, it may all be drowned out by the overflow.

60-70db is normal conversation volume, but it kind of depends on who you are talking to

phenom5 · 11/19/2009, 08:15 AM

FWIW, I used some 120mm computer fans I got off ebay for $0.99 each in my old hood. Didn't really make any noise at all.

I just wired them up to a converter that I picked up at Radio Shack that allowed me to control the speed.

MarlinHooker · 11/19/2009, 08:26 PM

thanks. FrozenCPU.com has some 120mm fans for $19.95 each that are temp variable speed. they claim their noise level is 14db which means they are basically silent? i like the idea of the variable speed fans based on temp so the fans don't just run at full speed all the time

james3370 · 11/19/2009, 08:34 PM

yeah pc fans in my opinion are the way to go. you usually get what you pay for & typically db & cfm ratings & price are inverse related LOL

the good quality fans like silenx, scythe, thermaltake & acecool from www.newegg.com are good for the job. also, THESE power adapters work very good. they have the standard 4-pin molex plug most fans will have so it becomes a plug n play situation to power the fans

tkeracer619 · 11/19/2009, 08:38 PM

ice cap fans are not quiet and the foam they send with them does not let air pass through... If you try to blow through the foam you barely can, how is a little fan supposed to push through it.

Go with the large 120mm fans. If you don't have any moonlights and feel like adding some get the clear fans with blue leds in them.

MarlinHooker · 11/20/2009, 03:27 PM

thanks all! I think I'll probably go with the SilenX. I'll check newegg.com & see how they compare to frozenCPU.com ...

11/19/2009, 07:43 AM	#1
MarlinHooker Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Indialantic, FL Posts: 690	Not The Most Critical Equipment Decision I realize that selecting canopy fans may not be the most critical decision to make when setting up a new system but I'm trying to decide if fans sold for aquariums (like the IceCap fans) are worth the money or do most people buy cheaper computer fans and hook them up with power supplies? Noise is my main concern as I need the fans to be as quiet as possible but don't have a good feel for the 'db' ratings ... for example: is 35 db really noisy or really quite ?

11/19/2009, 08:15 AM	#3
phenom5 Unregistered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,096	FWIW, I used some 120mm computer fans I got off ebay for $0.99 each in my old hood. Didn't really make any noise at all. I just wired them up to a converter that I picked up at Radio Shack that allowed me to control the speed. __________________ Rob Current Tank Info: DSA 155 Pro \| ATI Sunpower \| ATB 840 v2 \| Apex \| Wav

11/19/2009, 08:34 PM	#5
james3370 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: US ARMY - El Paso TX Posts: 3,678	yeah pc fans in my opinion are the way to go. you usually get what you pay for & typically db & cfm ratings & price are inverse related LOL the good quality fans like silenx, scythe, thermaltake & acecool from www.newegg.com are good for the job. also, THESE power adapters work very good. they have the standard 4-pin molex plug most fans will have so it becomes a plug n play situation to power the fans __________________ Yes I hear voices in my head, but they speak spanish so I can't understand anything they say. there's no place like 127.0.0.1 It's a shame that stupidity isn't painful.... Current Tank Info: currently tankless....but planning an AIO

11/19/2009, 08:38 PM	#6
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	ice cap fans are not quiet and the foam they send with them does not let air pass through... If you try to blow through the foam you barely can, how is a little fan supposed to push through it. Go with the large 120mm fans. If you don't have any moonlights and feel like adding some get the clear fans with blue leds in them. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

11/19/2009, 07:51 AM	#2
Logzor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kenwood, Ohio Posts: 4,073	35db would be considered just above a "whisper". Personally, I think that is too loud for a small fan, those computer fans are cheap ($3.00). The nice icecap fans are probably much more quite. You definitely dont want it to sound like there are 3-4 people whispering from inside your hood, although, it may all be drowned out by the overflow. 60-70db is normal conversation volume, but it kind of depends on who you are talking to

11/19/2009, 08:26 PM	#4
MarlinHooker Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Indialantic, FL Posts: 690	thanks. FrozenCPU.com has some 120mm fans for $19.95 each that are temp variable speed. they claim their noise level is 14db which means they are basically silent? i like the idea of the variable speed fans based on temp so the fans don't just run at full speed all the time

11/20/2009, 03:27 PM	#7
MarlinHooker Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Indialantic, FL Posts: 690	thanks all! I think I'll probably go with the SilenX. I'll check newegg.com & see how they compare to frozenCPU.com ...