Canopy Fans? Blow in, out, or both?

Augusta99 · 01/21/2009, 01:57 PM

I'm mounting 2 canopy fans tonight. Should they both be blowing air in, out, or one in and one out. Fan are converted PC fans, are 2 enough to provide cooling?

I'm running a 90 gal mixed reef with 6 t-5, and looking to save a little electricity verses using only my chiller to keep things cool.

What about placing fans in the sump area too?

grimreefer01 · 01/21/2009, 01:58 PM

in on one side, out on the other

grimreefer01 · 01/21/2009, 01:59 PM

oh, missed the second part.. not sure if 2 fans will be enough, it should be though, depending on size and air volume pushed by the fans..

for example, a hamilton tech 2 x 250w HQI + 2 x 110w VHO setup uses just 2 fans from the factory, and keeps it plenty cool..

Inked414 · 01/21/2009, 03:40 PM

I'd say it would depend on if your canopy had an open back or not. If it is open, you can have them both blowing in. But if it is a closed back then you'd want one blowing in and the other out for air circulation.

Augusta99 · 01/21/2009, 03:43 PM

The canopy is open back.

billdogg · 01/21/2009, 04:00 PM

because it is open in the back, i would have both blowing in - they will also last longer - if you have one blowing humid salt air out, it will corrode fairly quickly

Augusta99 · 01/21/2009, 04:15 PM

Thanks for the info everyone! Tonight I will install the canopy fans to push air into the canopy, and let the open back handle the air flow out. I plan to also install some fans around my sump to get heat out of the area below the tank too.

reefworm · 01/21/2009, 07:02 PM

agree w/billidog. the other advantages are more surface agitation for better water/gas exchange and added evaporation - the latter allows more cooling and greater capacity for kalk drip/top off to replenish Ca++ anb buffering

01/21/2009, 01:57 PM	#1
Augusta99 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Porter Ranch, CA Posts: 58	Canopy Fans? Blow in, out, or both? I'm mounting 2 canopy fans tonight. Should they both be blowing air in, out, or one in and one out. Fan are converted PC fans, are 2 enough to provide cooling? I'm running a 90 gal mixed reef with 6 t-5, and looking to save a little electricity verses using only my chiller to keep things cool. What about placing fans in the sump area too?

01/21/2009, 03:40 PM	#4
Inked414 Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 48	I'd say it would depend on if your canopy had an open back or not. If it is open, you can have them both blowing in. But if it is a closed back then you'd want one blowing in and the other out for air circulation. __________________ Hammer Current Tank Info: 75g main, 30g sump

01/21/2009, 04:00 PM	#6
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	because it is open in the back, i would have both blowing in - they will also last longer - if you have one blowing humid salt air out, it will corrode fairly quickly __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

01/21/2009, 07:02 PM	#8
reefworm Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Waxhaw, NC USA Posts: 2,139	agree w/billidog. the other advantages are more surface agitation for better water/gas exchange and added evaporation - the latter allows more cooling and greater capacity for kalk drip/top off to replenish Ca++ anb buffering __________________ "The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter." - Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: 29 gal. reef/assist with 75 gal. at the school

01/21/2009, 01:58 PM	#2
grimreefer01 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: South Eastern Michigan Posts: 138	in on one side, out on the other

01/21/2009, 01:59 PM	#3
grimreefer01 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: South Eastern Michigan Posts: 138	oh, missed the second part.. not sure if 2 fans will be enough, it should be though, depending on size and air volume pushed by the fans.. for example, a hamilton tech 2 x 250w HQI + 2 x 110w VHO setup uses just 2 fans from the factory, and keeps it plenty cool..

01/21/2009, 03:43 PM	#5
Augusta99 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Porter Ranch, CA Posts: 58	The canopy is open back.

01/21/2009, 04:15 PM	#7
Augusta99 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Porter Ranch, CA Posts: 58	Thanks for the info everyone! Tonight I will install the canopy fans to push air into the canopy, and let the open back handle the air flow out. I plan to also install some fans around my sump to get heat out of the area below the tank too.