lower temp in tank...

[hirowen]

Hi all,

Can cooling fan lower the temperature of the water to =< 26 degree celcius? If possible, how many fan do i need in order to lower the temperature in my 2ft tank? My average temperature of the tank water is 29 degree celcius.

Thanks in advance!!

[kc]

From my experience and those from this forum, you can't cool a tank lower then the temp of the surrounding air, which is around 25 to 32 degress.

Using bigger or more fans don't seem to do the trick. I'm using a small DC fan used for computer (2.5in x2.5in ) for my 2.5 ft tank. As the weather has been kind for the past few months, the temp in my tank was around 25 -27 degrees.

You can get a DC fan for only $2 at Sim Lim Tower. The DC converter cost around $20 or more depending on the made.

Rdgs.

[vinz]

Its unusual to get temperature =< 26 celcius with fans in Singapore's weather. Usually, it only happens during the cooler rainy season. I used to get 26.something in the rainy season, then I discovered recently that my thermometer is off by about 1.2 degrees. So that means it's really been 27.something degrees.

You might be able to if your tank is in a well ventilated and cool area or if your tank is in an air-conditioned room 24/7. Without A/C, your tank temps will likely go up significantly during the hotter months like April.

Hobby thermometers are fairly inaccurate. One way to gauge the discrepency is to mix up some warm water (about 40 degrees celcius) and measure the water with both your aquarium thermometer and the clinical thermometers are all got issued with during the SARs outbreak.

[hirowen]

[quote:49192755c9="kc"]From my experience and those from this forum, you can't cool a tank lower then the temp of the surrounding air, which is around 25 to 32 degress.

Using bigger or more fans don't seem to do the trick. I'm using a small DC fan used for computer (2.5in x2.5in ) for my 2.5 ft tank. As the weather has been kind for the past few months, the temp in my tank was around 25 -27 degrees.

You can get a DC fan for only $2 at Sim Lim Tower. The DC converter cost around $20 or more depending on the made.

Rdgs.[/quote:49192755c9]

erm....what is DC converter??

[hirowen]

[quote:55875cb1="vinz"]Its unusual to get temperature =< 26 celcius with fans in Singapore's weather. Usually, it only happens during the cooler rainy season. I used to get 26.something in the rainy season, then I discovered recently that my thermometer is off by about 1.2 degrees. So that means it's really been 27.something degrees.

You might be able to if your tank is in a well ventilated and cool area or if your tank is in an air-conditioned room 24/7. Without A/C, your tank temps will likely go up significantly during the hotter months like April.

Hobby thermometers are fairly inaccurate. One way to gauge the discrepency is to mix up some warm water (about 40 degrees celcius) and measure the water with both your aquarium thermometer and the clinical thermometers are all got issued with during the SARs outbreak.[/quote:55875cb1]

Nope leh...my tank located in a non A/C room...i m using PL lights some more...Heat giving out is higher than FL...Very scare my plant cannot tahan..haha...jia lat

[vinz]

[quote:682fa1f82a="hirowen"]...

erm....what is DC converter??[/quote:682fa1f82a]

Transformer... that converts AC power from the wall socket into DC power for the DC fans. You can also get AC fans which you can plug direct into the wall socket. Those tend to be more powerful but there is the danger of electrocution if they drop in the water.

As long as you can keep the temp 28 degrees celcius and below, your plants should be fine, except the more sensitive ones. Most will tolerate temperatures below 30 quite decently.

[kc]

[quote:b06767409e="hirowen"]...

erm....what is DC converter??[/quote:b06767409e]

..Is should be called AC-DC converter.

I recommend using DC fan because it's much quieter than those AC type that sound like an aeroplane in your living room.

[kc]

[quote:89e9db4da9="vinz"]Its unusual to get temperature =< 26 celcius with fans in Singapore's weather. Usually, it only happens during the cooler rainy season. I used to get 26.something in the rainy season, then I discovered recently that my thermometer is off by about 1.2 degrees. So that means it's really been 27.something degrees.
[/quote:89e9db4da9]

I also noticed that my thermometer is off by 0.5 to 1 degree compared to the mercury type. But a third thermoter, also alcohol type also show lower reading (compared to the mercury type).

So majority win.

[bclee]

[quote:9660955443="kc"]From my experience and those from this forum, you can't cool a tank lower then the temp of the surrounding air, which is around 25 to 32 degress...[/quote:9660955443]

Wrong... you can cool the water below the surrounding temperature. The only way is by EVAPORATION (not by convection or conduction). Fans can cool tanks down by removing heat via evaporation of water. This method is only limited by the surrounding humidity. The less humid... the more you can cool your tanks.

BC

[hirowen]

[quote:935c11bb9f="bclee"]Wrong... you can cool the water below the surrounding temperature. The only way is by EVAPORATION (not by convection or conduction). Fans can cool tanks down by removing heat via evaporation of water. This method is only limited by the surrounding humidity. The less humid... the more you can cool your tanks.

BC[/quote:935c11bb9f]
So u mean there is a posibility there? then how many fan do u think i need to put in order to cool down my 2ft tank? i also found out that the DIY fan tends to block the light cuz it is place across the tank...clipped on fan is better cuz it wont block the lights

[bclee]

[quote:f236b4926c="hirowen"]
So u mean there is a posibility there? then how many fan do u think i need to put in order to cool down my 2ft tank? i also found out that the DIY fan tends to block the light cuz it is place across the tank...clipped on fan is better cuz it wont block the lights[/quote:f236b4926c]

IME, I can achieve 27-29*°C with 2 DC fans over my 2-ft tank with 51W lighting.

Each setup is different. You gotta experiment it yourself.

BC

[Green Baron]

[quote:cc6f5dc5cb="hirowen"]
i also found out that the DIY fan tends to block the light cuz it is place across the tank...clipped on fan is better cuz it wont block the lights[/quote:cc6f5dc5cb]
It depends on how you mount your fan. I was using a large clip on AC fan and the fan blocked the light. I have switched to using 2 DC fans tied to the light stand, which looks much better and does not block any light.


The temperature on my 2ft tank with 70W pl light and 2 DC fans is 27C~28C.

[elmike]

I'm using a 9 X 9 inch AC fan that I clip facing down the tank. It sits flush so it's not visible from the front. I mean no offence but I do find fans that stick out an eyesore!

I don't believe this loner fan helps one bit in lowering the temp. Heck, not even by 0.1 degree! I'm using it more as an indicator of my CO2 on/ off as it is connected to the same timer as the solenoid.


[quote:f6162e4e82="vinz"]Hobby thermometers are fairly inaccurate. One way to gauge the discrepency is to mix up some warm water (about 40 degrees celcius) and measure the water with both your aquarium thermometer and the clinical thermometers are all got issued with during the SARs outbreak.[/quote:f6162e4e82]

I use only "scientific" thermometers (those that scientists use for research work). And please be careful where you stick your thermometer...
I find that when the mercury portion goes down too near the gravel, the reading tend to be higher by 1 degree. I suspect it's because the gravel traps heat. The thermometer should ideally be at the mid-water level.

[hirowen]

[quote:fbb4e61d46="Green Baron"]It depends on how you mount your fan. I was using a large clip on AC fan and the fan blocked the light. I have switched to using 2 DC fans tied to the light stand, which looks much better and does not block any light.
[/quote:fbb4e61d46]
how much u bought the 2 DC fan? u using the AC - DC converter?

[Green Baron]

[quote:9d40767dfd="hirowen"][quote:9d40767dfd="Green Baron"]It depends on how you mount your fan. I was using a large clip on AC fan and the fan blocked the light. I have switched to using 2 DC fans tied to the light stand, which looks much better and does not block any light.
[/quote:9d40767dfd]
how much u bought the 2 DC fan? u using the AC - DC converter?[/quote:9d40767dfd]
That pic is from another forumer but I have exactly the same setup. 350mA AC-DC converter is below $10 and DC fan is between $4~$10.
You can buy everthing from BioTope.

[hirowen]

hmmm...so total cost will be roughly $15...where is biotope btw?

[hoonming]

[quote:91209ba0e6="Green Baron"]It depends on how you mount your fan. I was using a large clip on AC fan and the fan blocked the light. I have switched to using 2 DC fans tied to the light stand, which looks much better and does not block any light.

The temperature on my 2ft tank with 70W pl light and 2 DC fans is 27C~28C.[/quote:91209ba0e6]

Hi Green Baron,

Can teach us how do you tie the fans to the light stand?

Many thanks!

[blur2x]

Read the DIY here: Petfrd.com. Go to Resource Library, then look for DIY section.

[hoonming]

[quote:09619dda42="blur2x"]Read the DIY here: Petfrd.com. Go to Resource Library, then look for DIY section.[/quote:09619dda42]
I have read the articale before.

Those fans are placed flat across the tank which blocks the light.

I am asking him how to tie the fans to the light so that they will not block the light.

[tawauboy]

[quote:ad08978efd="hoonming"]Hi Green Baron,

Can teach us how do you tie the fans to the light stand?

Many thanks![/quote:ad08978efd]

you can use nylon threads or cable ties.
as long as you appreciate your handiwork and serves the purpose.