Best 4-inch fan

reefarchitect · 03/23/2008, 02:14 PM

This may have been addressed hundreds of times, but a google search came up with very little by way of testimonials.

I need to replace my fans in the canopy. I have traditionaly used the Radio Shack fans, but this will be the second time in 2 years they are being replaced. I think they slow down for whatever reason and are barely moving any air. I have watched my tank temp go up ~2 degrees as a result.

What are the best fans out there with which you have personal or second hand experience.

I would prefer AC to avoid any adaptors.

Thanks,

reefarchitect · 03/23/2008, 06:26 PM

I'm surprised no replies. Is this just a question folks are tired of answering or did I post in the wrong forum?

I know the IceCap fans are out there. Any other recomendations?

liquidlunch · 03/23/2008, 07:10 PM

I run (2) 120mm IC fans. One firing in, one firing out. Most people are turned off by the higher price but I wouldn't use anything else.

1GoldClown · 03/23/2008, 07:19 PM

ReefArc. you really had that much of a problem witht the radio shack fans??? I just bought a 3" fan from them and it doesnt seem to bad although I have never delt with fans before. $20 couldnt really go wrong

reefarchitect · 03/23/2008, 07:27 PM

This is my third go-round with them. THey work great for a few months, then incrementaly begin to slow. They are still quiet, they just dont move much air.

For the money they are great, I just want a better/stronger option.

jlt23 · 03/23/2008, 08:20 PM

I would recommend Vantec Stealth fans. You can buy them at Fry's, but you will have to wire it to an AC adapter. They are silent. I have those in my enclosed stand and they are dead silent. I have Icecaps in my canopy and they are loud. Sounds like a plane taking off.

sjm817 · 03/23/2008, 08:43 PM

BTW, computer fans are metric, but are commonly referred to as 3" and 4". They are 80mm (3.15"), 92mm (3.62"), or 120mm (4.72"). Be careful to get one that will fit in the space you have planned.

KB2202 · 03/23/2008, 08:48 PM

I give these a thumbs up. They are quite considering the amount of air they move. I have 2 of them on over my tank. The tank is located in the family room and we are still able to watch TV.

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_viewIt...ct~CP5913.html

chucksta1 · 03/23/2008, 09:03 PM

Are they actually slowing down ( as in lower R.P.M 's) or are they moving less air? If they are still spinning but not pumping air, they may need cleaning. It doesn't take a lot of visible build up on the vanes to dramatically decrease the air flow. It has to do with laminar flow over the vanes or something like that..

If you're going to replace them, try and get a "bearing" fan as opposed to a "sleve" type.

Also, if you feel like a bit of "McGuyvering", get 12 volt DC fans and run them with a variable DC power supply ( Wall wart transformer with a switch for different voltages). I've got two from the surplus store for under $10.00 for the pair. When I run them at 6volts, they are quiet and last forever (over 2 years so far)

reefarchitect · 03/23/2008, 10:49 PM

I have given them a few good cleanings including wiping down the individual blades. The one I recently threw out was barely spinning after a year of use. They are all housed above or beside the tank blowing in the direction of the water. There is never any visible corrosion although the tank does evaporate over three gallons per day. Hence they must be exposed to high humidity in the immediate area of the tank.

arts007 · 03/24/2008, 12:58 AM

So far out of all the fans Ive tried I like the Thermaltake 120mm model # TT-12025A-1B1S There about 10 bucks from tiger direct. They are very quiet and push 78 CFM. I use 3 of them to cool 2 400 watt bulbs and 4 110 watt VHOs and keeps the tank at 79-80 F

Kenzy · 03/24/2008, 07:08 AM

I've saved a number of the RS fans by taking them apart and removing the factory grease which gets thicker and slows the fan down over time.

Under the silver sticker there is 3 screws that you need to remove to take it apart. Once its apart you can replace the factory grease with something better like lithium white grease (non-toxic).

Before putting it back together I usually give the fan blades a quick paint with some tremclad from a rattle can just to slow down the rust problems they some times have.

Fourty Two · 03/24/2008, 07:41 AM

i like the ice cap fans also. variable speed sensor is a nice feature. i use the 120mm version

SirToppemHat · 03/24/2008, 08:16 AM

Anyone ever tried the 5" fans from windywillycooling on ebay? They come with a variable control from 50-300 cfm.

carlisimo1969 · 03/24/2008, 09:23 AM

I'm using 4 of these SilenX fans LINK on the SilenX controller LINK
Plenty of air, zero sound. We'll see how long they last.

I've heard that if you have the fans pulling dry air in versus pushing potentially moist air out of an enclosure, they last longer.

jasondon · 03/24/2008, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SirToppemHat
Anyone ever tried the 5" fans from windywillycooling on ebay? They come with a variable control from 50-300 cfm.

I have one in the mail, so I will see. As far as reviews, the best sounds to be IC. If the ebay job doesnt work well, I will just bite the bullet and spend the bucks, instead of trying a bunch of cheap ones.

will16 · 03/24/2008, 10:41 AM

I have the SilenX fans and controller as well. Pretty cool setup. You can control the speed of each fan individually and hence the noise. Funny thing is I have 2 Silenx rated at about 74cfm and 14db and I also have 2 Vantec Stealth rated at 54cfm and 27db. Funny thing is, the Stealth are actually much quieter. Not that the Silenx are loud but they should be quieter than the Stealth. Maybe the two companies measure the noise differently (at different distances).

Just thought I would mention it.

03/23/2008, 02:14 PM	#1
reefarchitect Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: WPB, Florida Posts: 506	Best 4-inch fan This may have been addressed hundreds of times, but a google search came up with very little by way of testimonials. I need to replace my fans in the canopy. I have traditionaly used the Radio Shack fans, but this will be the second time in 2 years they are being replaced. I think they slow down for whatever reason and are barely moving any air. I have watched my tank temp go up ~2 degrees as a result. What are the best fans out there with which you have personal or second hand experience. I would prefer AC to avoid any adaptors. Thanks, __________________ McLovin for president Current Tank Info: 180 Gal mixed reef

03/23/2008, 06:26 PM	#2
reefarchitect Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: WPB, Florida Posts: 506	I'm surprised no replies. Is this just a question folks are tired of answering or did I post in the wrong forum? I know the IceCap fans are out there. Any other recomendations? __________________ McLovin for president Current Tank Info: 180 Gal mixed reef

03/23/2008, 07:27 PM	#5
reefarchitect Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: WPB, Florida Posts: 506	This is my third go-round with them. THey work great for a few months, then incrementaly begin to slow. They are still quiet, they just dont move much air. For the money they are great, I just want a better/stronger option. __________________ McLovin for president Current Tank Info: 180 Gal mixed reef

03/23/2008, 08:43 PM	#7
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	BTW, computer fans are metric, but are commonly referred to as 3" and 4". They are 80mm (3.15"), 92mm (3.62"), or 120mm (4.72"). Be careful to get one that will fit in the space you have planned. __________________ - Scott

03/23/2008, 10:49 PM	#10
reefarchitect Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: WPB, Florida Posts: 506	I have given them a few good cleanings including wiping down the individual blades. The one I recently threw out was barely spinning after a year of use. They are all housed above or beside the tank blowing in the direction of the water. There is never any visible corrosion although the tank does evaporate over three gallons per day. Hence they must be exposed to high humidity in the immediate area of the tank. __________________ McLovin for president Current Tank Info: 180 Gal mixed reef

03/23/2008, 07:10 PM	#3
liquidlunch Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Neptune, NJ Posts: 503	I run (2) 120mm IC fans. One firing in, one firing out. Most people are turned off by the higher price but I wouldn't use anything else.

03/23/2008, 07:19 PM	#4
1GoldClown Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Seminole, Florida Posts: 129	ReefArc. you really had that much of a problem witht the radio shack fans??? I just bought a 3" fan from them and it doesnt seem to bad although I have never delt with fans before. $20 couldnt really go wrong

03/23/2008, 08:20 PM	#6
jlt23 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Tustin, CA Posts: 712	I would recommend Vantec Stealth fans. You can buy them at Fry's, but you will have to wire it to an AC adapter. They are silent. I have those in my enclosed stand and they are dead silent. I have Icecaps in my canopy and they are loud. Sounds like a plane taking off.

03/23/2008, 08:48 PM	#8
KB2202 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 57	I give these a thumbs up. They are quite considering the amount of air they move. I have 2 of them on over my tank. The tank is located in the family room and we are still able to watch TV. http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_viewIt...ct~CP5913.html

03/23/2008, 09:03 PM	#9
chucksta1 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: mississauga ont. Posts: 490	Are they actually slowing down ( as in lower R.P.M 's) or are they moving less air? If they are still spinning but not pumping air, they may need cleaning. It doesn't take a lot of visible build up on the vanes to dramatically decrease the air flow. It has to do with laminar flow over the vanes or something like that.. If you're going to replace them, try and get a "bearing" fan as opposed to a "sleve" type. Also, if you feel like a bit of "McGuyvering", get 12 volt DC fans and run them with a variable DC power supply ( Wall wart transformer with a switch for different voltages). I've got two from the surplus store for under $10.00 for the pair. When I run them at 6volts, they are quiet and last forever (over 2 years so far)

03/24/2008, 12:58 AM	#11
arts007 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 600	So far out of all the fans Ive tried I like the Thermaltake 120mm model # TT-12025A-1B1S There about 10 bucks from tiger direct. They are very quiet and push 78 CFM. I use 3 of them to cool 2 400 watt bulbs and 4 110 watt VHOs and keeps the tank at 79-80 F __________________ Genius is 1 percent inspiration and 99% perspiration, which is why engineers sometimes smell really bad. Current Tank Info: 120g SPS reef tank. 2x 400 watt Reeflux 12k on lumenbrights

03/24/2008, 07:08 AM	#12
Kenzy Premium Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Gananoque,ON Posts: 845	I've saved a number of the RS fans by taking them apart and removing the factory grease which gets thicker and slows the fan down over time. Under the silver sticker there is 3 screws that you need to remove to take it apart. Once its apart you can replace the factory grease with something better like lithium white grease (non-toxic). Before putting it back together I usually give the fan blades a quick paint with some tremclad from a rattle can just to slow down the rust problems they some times have.

03/24/2008, 07:41 AM	#13
Fourty Two Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 65	i like the ice cap fans also. variable speed sensor is a nice feature. i use the 120mm version

03/24/2008, 08:16 AM	#14
SirToppemHat Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 472	Anyone ever tried the 5" fans from windywillycooling on ebay? They come with a variable control from 50-300 cfm.

03/24/2008, 09:23 AM	#15
carlisimo1969 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Green Bay Posts: 360	I'm using 4 of these SilenX fans LINK on the SilenX controller LINK Plenty of air, zero sound. We'll see how long they last. I've heard that if you have the fans pulling dry air in versus pushing potentially moist air out of an enclosure, they last longer. __________________ Celebrating sunshine and you... Current Tank Info: 70g corner reef, 2-250 Pheonix 14k DE, 75g basement sump, 75g basement frag tank, Reeflo Hammerhead, OMSupersquirt, Aquaeuro 265recirc Last edited by carlisimo1969; 03/24/2008 at 09:29 AM.

03/24/2008, 10:41 AM	#17
will16 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 1,812	I have the SilenX fans and controller as well. Pretty cool setup. You can control the speed of each fan individually and hence the noise. Funny thing is I have 2 Silenx rated at about 74cfm and 14db and I also have 2 Vantec Stealth rated at 54cfm and 27db. Funny thing is, the Stealth are actually much quieter. Not that the Silenx are loud but they should be quieter than the Stealth. Maybe the two companies measure the noise differently (at different distances). Just thought I would mention it.