DIY Experts Please!

hutchinson

Member
Ive built a canopy for my 55 gallon tank. I will be running 6 {54 watt T5s}. Ive made my canopy with two holes on both sides to mount the fans.
Which way should i Face the fans??
Someone suggested to have all of them blowing in..........
:thinking: :thinking: :thinking: :thinking: :thinking:
 

geridoc

Well-Known Member
Fans should blow out, and there should be openings to permit air to enter the hood, flow over the lights, and out.
 

tropills

Member
My canopy has 2 fans blowing in on one end, 2 fans blowing out on the other
kinda a cross flow effect also have a 4 inch space along the back between the tank and canopy.
Greg
 

thegrog

Active Member
If the back of the canopy is open or half open, I would have both of them blow in for two reasons. First is that when blowing out, there is a tendancy for salt accumulation on the blades and motor--something they were not designed for and will shorten the life of the fan. Second is that it will continually blow in cool air, forcing the hot air out.
I have tried multiple variations on canopies and found this to be the best method at keeping things cool and fresh air flowing.
 

ifirefight

Active Member
In my set up I have BOTH fan pointing in the same direction, Meaning the one on the right side blows to the right and the one on the left side blows to the right. This is what we in the firefighting business call positive pressure ventilation....well not really but the same princible apply. It is really simple math.. if you have X- amount of air coming in....then it needs to find the path of least resintence out... so IF you have 2 fans blowing IN......the air needs to find a way out.... there are many different ways of removing HEAT but for me it would be cross ventalation.... 2 fans at oppisite ends pointing the same direction.
 

phixer

Active Member
Originally Posted by GeriDoc
Fans should blow out, and there should be openings to permit air to enter the hood, flow over the lights, and out.
Concur, you want an inlet and an outlet to provide a positive crossflow of air across the waters surface. Salt accumulation is easily solvable with a louver made of acrylic angled in front of the fan blowing out and rinses off with a spray bottle and freshwater. Using an intake and exaust system will provide good airflow, keep your lights cool and ensure a good gas exchange at the surface of the water.
 
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