Computer Fans in Canopy

[natclanwy]

I can't post links, but very few computer fans are 2" square by far the most common size is 80mm which if you do the conversion is 3.14" the next common size especially in newer computers is 120mm which is a 4.72" fan do a quick search on newegg or zipzoom fly and you will see that these are bar far the most common sizes of computer fans.
Here are the spec on the Icecap:
4" Variable speed fan
102cfm max speed
48db at max speed
Here are the specs on a couple decent quality 120mm computer fans
Scythe S-Flex 120mm Fan - High Speed
63.7cfm
28db
Scythe SY1225SL12SH 120mm "Slipstream" Case Fan
110.31cfm
37db
The first computer fan moves about 40% less air but according to SCSI's calculations its about 600% quieter. I will take the quieter fan any day over the extra airflow I can always add another fan. The second fan moves a little more air but is still about 300% than the icecap. As far as the materials the fans are made out of I am with SCSI I am sure the Icecap is an of the shelf fan but regardless if you are getting enough moisture up to the fan to cause an issue with dripping contaminants back into your tank you need to address the problems with your installation. As far as the fan lasting I haven't made any attempts to rust proof mine and one of them has been running on my tank for 3yrs and I don't know how long in an old computer befrore that and still going strong its even been dropped in the tank a couple of times from my previous installation.
If your happy with the icecaps thats great but for me the noise would be an issue and there are lots of different computer fans that are more efficient and much quieter for me to choose from, I can even get them with the variable speed but I don't see the point if your fan is quiet at full speed there is no need to slow it down.

 

[scsinet]

Originally Posted by Flower
http:///forum/post/3029717
I have no argument...however your statement is not correct. My X husband built computers, and I was right there with him. Those tiny little computer fans are not at all what the ice cap fans are.
They most certainly did NOT slap their name on a computer fan. Those fans wouldn't even fit in a computer box; they are half the size of the computer!
All I am stressing is that the ice cap fans are much bigger and give much more air flow than the computer fans can.
They may look very similar in a picture, but in real life the size is way different. Canopy fans are made of aluminum, computer fans are made of metals that will rust and could transfer metals into the tank if condensation develops and drops into the tank.
A computer fan is a little tiny 2 inch fan that has one low speed; it will make air flow, but not enough to move heat from MH lighting under a canopy. I have never seen a 4 or a 3 inch computer fan, I have only seen 2 inch square.

I'm not going to turn this thread into an argument, but I didn't say computer fans, I said computer TYPE fans. Most laypersons recognize these types of blowers as computer fans, but they aren't really computer fans, they are brushless DC muffin fans. I called them computer type fans because it gives everyone a frame of reference. Muffin fans are used in computers, along with MANY other applications.
They come in different configurations, made of different materials that can be metals or plastics. They come in tons of different sizes, voltages, air flows. They come with temperature sensors and without.
I'm not saying that the icecap fans are the exact same ones you find in computers, I am saying they are the same type of thing. Icecap does not manufacture these fans. They are made by a fan manufacturer such as Nidec, Pabst, Comair-Rotron, et al. I'm not saying they are the crappy chinese knock offs that are available for $4 in a computer store, but they ARE the ones that you can buy from electronics supply houses for $15, fitted with a $5 power supply, tripled in price, and sold to those willing to pay because they think they are better.

Notice the MUFFIN brand label?
http://www.comairrotron.com/cgi-bin/...ameter_unit=in
There is the datasheet to Comair-Rotrons site, who manufactures it. Notice on the site that it is available with the automatic temperature control option.
They are the same basic plastic fans that are found in all sorts of things - including computers - but they also can come in different materials, such as aluminum.
I'm not trying to insult anyone for buying them, but I am saying that when you have someone willing to to the DIY route, we shouldn't discourage them by trying to trump up these icecap fans to be something they aren't.

 

[teresaq]

ok, my fans are in. I installed a 4.75 and 2 3.5 in my canopy for my seahorse tank. They are very quite, I can't hear them over anything else running on the tank. It was very easy to attach the power cord, and for 3 to 4 bucks each, very affordable.
Thanks for everyones help.