How many fans
- Thread starter teresaq
- Start date
scsinet
Active Member
You do not need many. Most people put far more fans than they need in their canopy.
Calculate the rough internal dimensions of your canopy. If you have a 125g tank and a 12" tall canopy, for instance:
72 * 18 * 12 = 15,552 cu. in.
Divide by the number of cubic inches in a cubic foot:
15,552 / 1728 = 9 cu ft.
An small computer case type fan might be 4 inches square and produce about 45 cubic feet per minute of air flow. That's 5 complete air changes per minute, or one every 12 seconds, provided your canopy is properly set up for cross ventilation. That'll easily keep a canopy's temperature equal to the ambient air in the room (which is the best you can do).
On the other hand, OVERDO it and you can cause uneven heating of the envelope of halide lamps, which can cause inefficient operation at best or envelope rupture (read: kaboom) at a worst - albiet rarely seen - case scenario.
Calculate the rough internal dimensions of your canopy. If you have a 125g tank and a 12" tall canopy, for instance:
72 * 18 * 12 = 15,552 cu. in.
Divide by the number of cubic inches in a cubic foot:
15,552 / 1728 = 9 cu ft.
An small computer case type fan might be 4 inches square and produce about 45 cubic feet per minute of air flow. That's 5 complete air changes per minute, or one every 12 seconds, provided your canopy is properly set up for cross ventilation. That'll easily keep a canopy's temperature equal to the ambient air in the room (which is the best you can do).
On the other hand, OVERDO it and you can cause uneven heating of the envelope of halide lamps, which can cause inefficient operation at best or envelope rupture (read: kaboom) at a worst - albiet rarely seen - case scenario.
flower
Well-Known Member
I have a canopy, and I purchased the 4 inch ice cap fans. They are real nice because they also have a thermostat and will kick into overdrive if the canopy gets too warm from the lights. So it is an automatic three speed fan.
I also found out that the 4 inchers were too large for my canopy and I had to raise it another inch to accommodate the fans.
All that is really necessary is to have one facing in and the other fan facing out. Make sure, as my small problem would indicate...that the fan will fit. They do make a 3 inch ice cap fan with all the same features.
Happy Reefing
P.S. Ice cap fans also have their own power cord that plugs into the wall and it has a quick disconnect making it easy to attach to the canopy. So if you nail it into the canopy like I did, the quick disconnect is real handy. I don't have to haul the plug and everything along with the canopy when I service the tank.
flower
Well-Known Member
Ice Cap 3" Canopy Fan
Price: $56.55
The Ice Cap 3" Canopy Fan is the highest quality aquarium canopy fan on the market.
Actual size 3-1/8"
Thermal Speed Control with Remote Sensor (19 - 37 CFM)
12V-Power supply plugs into wall
Super quiet
Won't rust
Ice Cap 4" Canopy Fan
Price: $62.00
The Ice Cap 4" Canopy Fan is the highest quality aquarium canopy fan on the market.
Actual size 4-3/4"
Thermal Speed Control with Remote Sensor (50 - 112 CFM)
12V-Power supply plugs into wall
Super quiet
Won't rust
Price: $56.55
The Ice Cap 3" Canopy Fan is the highest quality aquarium canopy fan on the market.
Actual size 3-1/8"
Thermal Speed Control with Remote Sensor (19 - 37 CFM)
12V-Power supply plugs into wall
Super quiet
Won't rust
Ice Cap 4" Canopy Fan
Price: $62.00
The Ice Cap 4" Canopy Fan is the highest quality aquarium canopy fan on the market.
Actual size 4-3/4"
Thermal Speed Control with Remote Sensor (50 - 112 CFM)
12V-Power supply plugs into wall
Super quiet
Won't rust