Should I bother running the fan?

Cody Ray · 09/17/2009, 06:16 PM

Recently purchased a Nova Extreme T5HO fixture. It comes with a fan to keep the fixture cool. Today I forgot to plug the fan in. After feeling the fixture I would guess that it was about 105F no fan. I will admit that the fixture is no warmer than 80F with the fan on but as noisy as it is I wouldn't mind leaving it off. There is no question in my mind that nothing would be damaged leaving the fan off but will being near 100F reduce the output of the fixture?

Cody Ray · 09/19/2009, 12:41 AM

Bump

VacavilleFC3S · 09/19/2009, 01:54 AM

the fan is cooling the lights, it's very neccessary

Frogmanx82 · 09/19/2009, 07:04 AM

Its not "very" necessary, but you'll get more PAR and longer life out of the bulb.

Saltcity · 09/19/2009, 07:16 AM

Its there for a reason or they would save the money and not put it on the fixture. What you could do is look for a quieter fan that will fit the fixture!?

Beefer · 09/19/2009, 08:15 AM

Your bulbs will last longer with the fan. You probably don't need to use it, but you may have to replace bulbs sooner if you don't.

mtisc323 · 09/19/2009, 12:49 PM

The heat can also wear on the endcaps where the bulb fits into ... IMO I would always run the fans ... theres a reason theyre there

Dtronic · 09/19/2009, 01:14 PM

I would use it, or if the noise really bugs you switch it out with a quieter one.

ludnix · 09/19/2009, 01:55 PM

I would use it. If you want to switch it out with a quieter one you can order quiet computer fans online. You'll want to compare the CFM rating of the fan to the decibel rating. You may find a fan that has a lower decibel rating and equal CFM rating at the current fan you're using.

This site sells them and usually has the CFM and decibel rating on their computer fans.
http://www.xoxide.com/casefans.html

lordofthereef · 09/19/2009, 03:24 PM

Are you able to at least put a timer on the fan to turn on when you are not home and off when you are home? At least this will cool them for part of the day and keep those bulbs burning longer.

plancton · 09/19/2009, 04:59 PM

I would end up with burned endcaps on my 80 watt T5s, even Icecap end caps would end up burning, and sometimes the bulb gets messed up forever, that used to happen when I was running the lights for longer periods and the cannopy didn´t have fans.

I modified the cannopy and installed fans and no problems. Also my lamp had no splashguard and was very close to the water, so it would heat the tank a lot. After adding the fans, the temp dropped from 82F to 78

Cody Ray · 09/20/2009, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ludnix
I would use it. If you want to switch it out with a quieter one you can order quiet computer fans online. You'll want to compare the CFM rating of the fan to the decibel rating. You may find a fan that has a lower decibel rating and equal CFM rating at the current fan you're using.

This site sells them and usually has the CFM and decibel rating on their computer fans.
http://www.xoxide.com/casefans.html

I will have to check that site out.

09/17/2009, 06:16 PM	#1
Cody Ray Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 5,101	Should I bother running the fan? Recently purchased a Nova Extreme T5HO fixture. It comes with a fan to keep the fixture cool. Today I forgot to plug the fan in. After feeling the fixture I would guess that it was about 105F no fan. I will admit that the fixture is no warmer than 80F with the fan on but as noisy as it is I wouldn't mind leaving it off. There is no question in my mind that nothing would be damaged leaving the fan off but will being near 100F reduce the output of the fixture? __________________ Limit 1 stupid question per day Current Tank Info: Mr. Aqua 7.5g bowfront

09/19/2009, 12:41 AM	#2
Cody Ray Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 5,101	Bump __________________ Limit 1 stupid question per day Current Tank Info: Mr. Aqua 7.5g bowfront

09/19/2009, 07:04 AM	#4
Frogmanx82 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,515	Its not "very" necessary, but you'll get more PAR and longer life out of the bulb. __________________ Exodus 8:2 Check my homepage for tank pics and details. Current Tank Info: 90 gallon, 2x maxspect R420R LED, 4 Ocellaris Clowns, Yellow Eye Kole Tang, Flame Angel, Foxface Rabbitfish, Banggai Cardinals, Azure Damsel, rock flower anemone, cleaner shrimp, serpent star

09/19/2009, 01:55 PM	#9
ludnix Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: California Posts: 3,031	I would use it. If you want to switch it out with a quieter one you can order quiet computer fans online. You'll want to compare the CFM rating of the fan to the decibel rating. You may find a fan that has a lower decibel rating and equal CFM rating at the current fan you're using. This site sells them and usually has the CFM and decibel rating on their computer fans. http://www.xoxide.com/casefans.html __________________ -Eric Sutter Current Tank Info: 14g Biocube

09/19/2009, 03:24 PM	#10
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	Are you able to at least put a timer on the fan to turn on when you are not home and off when you are home? At least this will cool them for part of the day and keep those bulbs burning longer. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

09/19/2009, 01:54 AM	#3
VacavilleFC3S Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Vacaville California Posts: 2,613	the fan is cooling the lights, it's very neccessary

09/19/2009, 07:16 AM	#5
Saltcity Moved On Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Missouri Posts: 4,297	Its there for a reason or they would save the money and not put it on the fixture. What you could do is look for a quieter fan that will fit the fixture!?

09/19/2009, 08:15 AM	#6
Beefer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Detroit, Mi Posts: 65	Your bulbs will last longer with the fan. You probably don't need to use it, but you may have to replace bulbs sooner if you don't.

09/19/2009, 12:49 PM	#7
mtisc323 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 53	The heat can also wear on the endcaps where the bulb fits into ... IMO I would always run the fans ... theres a reason theyre there

09/19/2009, 01:14 PM	#8
Dtronic Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cape Coral, Florida Posts: 272	I would use it, or if the noise really bugs you switch it out with a quieter one.

09/19/2009, 04:59 PM	#11
plancton Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mexico Posts: 1,866	I would end up with burned endcaps on my 80 watt T5s, even Icecap end caps would end up burning, and sometimes the bulb gets messed up forever, that used to happen when I was running the lights for longer periods and the cannopy didn´t have fans. I modified the cannopy and installed fans and no problems. Also my lamp had no splashguard and was very close to the water, so it would heat the tank a lot. After adding the fans, the temp dropped from 82F to 78 __________________ Hansel, he´s so hot right now...