Lighting Upgrade = Temperature Upgrade

[dun2run]

So I upgraded my T5's to get more coverage on my 125. Before, the temp would reach 79-80.5 during the day. Now its hitting 83 and I'm wondering if a fan in the canopy would be the way to go. Its totally enclosed except for the back. If I go with a fan(s), where would the best place be to put them? And should they blow in or out?

[paul_111]

I recently made the same upgrade on my 120. I started a thread about the canopy build, but haven't posted picts yet.

I have my fans arranged to blow in across the endcaps and out through the top.

I have 80mm fans blowing in across the T5 endcaps; one on each end. That alone did not make a difference in tank temp, but cooling the endcaps will improve bulb life and output.

Then, I did the scary part... I took a 4" hole saw to the top of the canopy, one over each front corner and mounted a 120mm fan in each. I put covers on the holes, but I need to improve them, as light leak is not the issue I thought it would be and they block too much air flow.

Good luck!
Paul

[dun2run]

Do you think if I mounted the fans on the back of the canopy (I have eggcrate running across the back for the jumpers) pulling air out would that be sufficient?

[rbnice1]

You would want the fans to blow into the canopy but yes it should be enough.

I used 2 120mm 12volt fans.

[dun2run]

Ok. I was thinking I should mount them to blow out sucking out the hot air.
Or, how about one blowing in and one blowing out?

[rbnice1]

I would just have them both blowing in then let it vent out.

[jc-reef]

Originally Posted by dun2run

So I upgraded my T5's to get more coverage on my 125. Before, the temp would reach 79-80.5 during the day. Now its hitting 83 and I'm wondering if a fan in the canopy would be the way to go. Its totally enclosed except for the back. If I go with a fan(s), where would the best place be to put them? And should they blow in or out?

Originally Posted by rbnice1

I would just have them both blowing in then let it vent out.

+1 Blowing IN. I just finished my canopy that, like yours, is fully enclosed with the back open. The tank/canopy is about 4-6" off wall and I have 6x54w T5's over a standard 90gal. My lights are about 7" off water. I also have about 6-8" of head room above the lights. I have a cheap 6" clip fan from one of the 'mart' stores that is blowing in on one end facing the front of the tank blowing across the lights toward the front.....and the natural air flow exhausts it out the other side along the back. I was using this as a temporary set up, but to my suprise, it is super quiet and only cost $10!!....so I may keep it as is.

My tank has been holding steady at 78-79 deg during peak lighting with the surrounding air temp 75 (house a/c). So far so good.

Good Luck!