DIY: 3 PC aquarium fan with individual switch

**Taz1** · 3rd Mar 2008, 10:41

Recently, I just DIY a aquarium fan and like to share with friends here.

I put 3 PC fans on the acrylic that rest on top of the 2 ft tank, with seperate control so I can turn ON 1, 2 or 3 fans at a time. With ALL fans ON I am able to bring down the water temp to 23-24 degree.

Attached is the photo of the DIY fan.

**David Moses Heng** · 3rd Mar 2008, 13:19

Great stuff that you have there

. Maybe you can share with us the stuff needed and the cost?

**aquanatix** · 3rd Mar 2008, 16:02

Yeah...your DIY setup looks great!I mean,it literally looks like its store bought!
The acrylic must've been a pain in the ***! Do share with us more on your setup,would love to find out costing etc...

**Taz1** · 3rd Mar 2008, 23:58

What I did was put together 3 PC fans, connect each one to the ON/OFF switch and power it by a 12V 3A adaptor. I am not sure how much will that cost as all the components are given by friends.

Your are right, the most difficult part is to cut circular holes on the acrylic, which I manage to get help from friend with the milling machine.

My next project is to create a underwater waterfall for the background of my 2 ft tank.

**Razorblade** · 8th Mar 2008, 23:14

Nice DIY

**jackwolf** · 17th Mar 2008, 23:54

really very nice!!! very professionally done.. can say how much you spend on this DIY..?

**torque6** · 22nd Mar 2008, 19:37

Very professionally made, please show us the parts leh ? Believe most of us are interested. I'm also looking to improve my air rod based DIY 12cm tank with those acrylic that you made specifically on your tri-fans. Let us know where you got the mats etc.

. Thanks in advance.

**aquanatix** · 23rd Mar 2008, 02:12

If anything,i'm more interested in the wiring of the setup.
It looks pretty neat and professional IMHO,with a decent enough casing this would definitely justify a hefty price tag in LFS. As mentioned earlier,the acrylic looks thick.Yet somehow the holes are made nicely.Did you thermo punch it or made via drilling?I've tried thinner sheets of acrylic with only marginal success when it comes to uniformity and consistency of holes.Hope to hear more of your inputs!

**torque6** · 23rd Mar 2008, 05:24

Therma punching the holes wouldnt have been so consistent, my internal co2 reactor is a result of this method so it looks less professional compared to taz's.

**Taz1** · 23rd Mar 2008, 12:53

Thanks for all the positive feedback on the fan.

Sorry for not able to share where to get the material as most of it is given by friends.

The acrylic is 10mm thick, and the holes are cut using the industry milling machine, so the hole is a perfect circle. As for the wire, I just solder it to the switches and hot glue it along the acrylic.

**tawauboy** · 23rd Mar 2008, 15:14

Originally Posted by aquanatix

......I've tried thinner sheets of acrylic with only marginal success when it comes to uniformity and consistency of holes.Hope to hear more of your inputs!

to drill neat holes, you need to drill a pilot hole first. eg. to drill a 3.5mm diameter hole, start with 1~2 mm drill bit. next, use a 3.0mm. finally, use 3.5mm.
and you need a clamp to hold your acrylic firmly.