Clip-on Fans for Cooling Tank

Itchy Trigger · 05/05/2015, 08:16 AM

As the weather warms up, my 330g is starting to get really warm, so I'm looking at getting a clip on fan for cooling it down a little bit... My question is where is the most effective place to put the fan? It would be easiest to put it on the sump, which is located on the other side of the wall in the next room. But perhaps I should aim the fan at the greatest amount of surface area, which obviously would be over the tank... Any opinions on this?

scooter31707 · 05/05/2015, 08:55 AM

If you have a canopy you can purchase these and mount them inside your canopy above the water surface of your tank.

http://premiumaquatics.com/products/...smart-fan.html

Itchy Trigger · 05/05/2015, 12:15 PM

I do have a canopy, but it's more of a cabinet that goes all the way to the ceiling - the tank is sort of a built-in with floor to ceiling cabinetry. So the canopy isn't hanging low over the water, which would allow for easy mounting of a fan like that. I was thinking of using a clip-on fan like the one BRS sells and just clipping it to the inside of the cabinet above the tank. Is it best to direct the fan at a 45 degree angle to the water surface?

How much better would it be to leave the cabinet doors open at this time? Or will the act of having the fan inside the cabinet be good enough to cool things down a few degrees?

Nina51 · 05/05/2015, 12:23 PM

my tank is only 75g but the clip on fan i use (in the sump) does the job quite satisfactorily.

Itchy Trigger · 05/05/2015, 01:48 PM

Cool. I'm wondering if that might work best for me. The temp in my sump right now is 89 degrees (I've got a couple of Mag Drives in there for skimmer, reactors, etc. In the tank, it's about 85. I guess I can experiment, but is there anyone here with a big tank that can tell me what they do? Fan on the sump or fan on the tank? Or both?

scooter31707 · 05/05/2015, 01:56 PM

ya that should work, but just be careful the clip doesn't fall and you don't have the fan fall into the tank or sump. I have heard reports of that clip not holding up

dbl · 05/05/2015, 02:01 PM

I have a 120g, so not as large as yours. I actually bought two of the clip on fans from BRS and use one in the canopy blowing across the DT surface, and one in the sump blowing towards the return section. I'm in SW Florida so it's always hot and humid, and I would say it knocks the water temp down maybe two degrees. The chiller doesn't kick on nearly as much as it did prior to the fans. That's my experience anyway, so take it for what it's worth.

JPMagyar · 05/05/2015, 04:18 PM

My system is 750 gallons but I have an open top on my display. Even with an open top I need 2 fans. I have a clip on that turns on whenever the display lights run in the summer, and I have a large 24 inch fan pointed at the sump that is controlled by a Neptune Apex controller. Personally given the temps you are seeing I would use two fans AND find better pumps that are external. I use Iwaki pumps myself. Of course, a chiller would solve your problems as well.

Good luck and keep us posted on what works!

juscalmej · 05/05/2015, 04:52 PM

I keep a Lasko tower fan blowing long ways accross my 55. It's pointed at an angle from back to front. The back of my stand is open and also gets a good bit of air flow. It seems to keep the tank coo. I keep the A/C at about 78 when i'm gone.

Itchy Trigger · 05/05/2015, 08:29 PM

Thanks guys. I can leave the cabinet doors open above the tank. And I have screen tops to prevent a fan from falling in. Guess I'll start with one fan over the tank and maybe add another on the sump.

moondoggy4 · 05/05/2015, 11:39 PM

Air King makes a really nice 16'' fan that is mounted on the wall and it can oscillate and be tilted.

05/05/2015, 08:16 AM	#1
Itchy Trigger Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NYC Posts: 1,355	Clip-on Fans for Cooling Tank As the weather warms up, my 330g is starting to get really warm, so I'm looking at getting a clip on fan for cooling it down a little bit... My question is where is the most effective place to put the fan? It would be easiest to put it on the sump, which is located on the other side of the wall in the next room. But perhaps I should aim the fan at the greatest amount of surface area, which obviously would be over the tank... Any opinions on this? __________________ 330g FOWLR: Angels, Tangs and more.

05/05/2015, 12:15 PM	#3
Itchy Trigger Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NYC Posts: 1,355	I do have a canopy, but it's more of a cabinet that goes all the way to the ceiling - the tank is sort of a built-in with floor to ceiling cabinetry. So the canopy isn't hanging low over the water, which would allow for easy mounting of a fan like that. I was thinking of using a clip-on fan like the one BRS sells and just clipping it to the inside of the cabinet above the tank. Is it best to direct the fan at a 45 degree angle to the water surface? How much better would it be to leave the cabinet doors open at this time? Or will the act of having the fan inside the cabinet be good enough to cool things down a few degrees? __________________ 330g FOWLR: Angels, Tangs and more.

05/05/2015, 12:23 PM	#4
Nina51 biggliest cofveve champ Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: 5th floor, Illinois, gewgaw expert Posts: 3,506	my tank is only 75g but the clip on fan i use (in the sump) does the job quite satisfactorily. __________________ of all the things i've lost, i miss my gary the most. Never hold your farts in. They travel up your spine into your brain, and that is where crappy ideas come from. Current Tank Info: i gave my reef away and i feel like a bird out of a cage!!

05/05/2015, 01:48 PM	#5
Itchy Trigger Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NYC Posts: 1,355	Cool. I'm wondering if that might work best for me. The temp in my sump right now is 89 degrees (I've got a couple of Mag Drives in there for skimmer, reactors, etc. In the tank, it's about 85. I guess I can experiment, but is there anyone here with a big tank that can tell me what they do? Fan on the sump or fan on the tank? Or both? __________________ 330g FOWLR: Angels, Tangs and more.

05/05/2015, 02:01 PM	#7
dbl Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: SW Florida Posts: 258	I have a 120g, so not as large as yours. I actually bought two of the clip on fans from BRS and use one in the canopy blowing across the DT surface, and one in the sump blowing towards the return section. I'm in SW Florida so it's always hot and humid, and I would say it knocks the water temp down maybe two degrees. The chiller doesn't kick on nearly as much as it did prior to the fans. That's my experience anyway, so take it for what it's worth. __________________ David Current Tank Info: 120 Gallon Peninsula - My First Saltwater Adventure

05/05/2015, 08:55 AM	#2
scooter31707 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 4,971	If you have a canopy you can purchase these and mount them inside your canopy above the water surface of your tank. http://premiumaquatics.com/products/...smart-fan.html

05/05/2015, 01:56 PM	#6
scooter31707 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 4,971	ya that should work, but just be careful the clip doesn't fall and you don't have the fan fall into the tank or sump. I have heard reports of that clip not holding up

05/05/2015, 04:18 PM	#8
JPMagyar Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NY,NY Posts: 2,072	My system is 750 gallons but I have an open top on my display. Even with an open top I need 2 fans. I have a clip on that turns on whenever the display lights run in the summer, and I have a large 24 inch fan pointed at the sump that is controlled by a Neptune Apex controller. Personally given the temps you are seeing I would use two fans AND find better pumps that are external. I use Iwaki pumps myself. Of course, a chiller would solve your problems as well. Good luck and keep us posted on what works! __________________ Joe Peck TOTM Apr. 2013 Advanced Aquarist Featured Tank March 2011 Reef Hobbyist Magazine journalist, and all around SPS nut! Current Tank Info: 240 with 750 gal total system, ATI LED Powermodule, MTC-HSA 1000. MTC Pro-Cal..

05/05/2015, 04:52 PM	#9
juscalmej Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Orlando, Fl Posts: 53	I keep a Lasko tower fan blowing long ways accross my 55. It's pointed at an angle from back to front. The back of my stand is open and also gets a good bit of air flow. It seems to keep the tank coo. I keep the A/C at about 78 when i'm gone. __________________ 180g Reef, 75g Sump, T247s, Skimz161. (Current) 55g Reef, Aqueon Proflex Sump, 165W LEDs

05/05/2015, 08:29 PM	#10
Itchy Trigger Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NYC Posts: 1,355	Thanks guys. I can leave the cabinet doors open above the tank. And I have screen tops to prevent a fan from falling in. Guess I'll start with one fan over the tank and maybe add another on the sump. __________________ 330g FOWLR: Angels, Tangs and more.

05/05/2015, 11:39 PM	#11
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Air King makes a really nice 16'' fan that is mounted on the wall and it can oscillate and be tilted.