Cooling fan and net

[Geraud]

Hey everyone,

As the summer is here, and to avoid having my chiller run too much, I was considering adding a small fan to add a bit of evaporation.

However since I have some jumpers (flasher wrasses), I have a net (the usual BRS one) installed on top of the tank.

Has anyone tried using a fan in such a configuration, and if so, does the fan still produce a good amount of cooling, or is everything lost because of the "skin effect" of the net?

 

[duromega]

does your system have a sump?
I run multiple fans in my sump area during the summer

 

[Geraud]

I do have a sump, but since the stand is not very tall (coffee table), it is impossible to place a fan there without only pulling warm air from the top of the sump compartment.

 

[reefiness]

how about just adding a fan facing outward to your sump compartment?

 

[Geraud]

I actually cannot do it, as the base of my stand is too "high" aka there is space above the sump itself till the "ceiling", but the distance between the top of the sump and the bottom of the "skirt" of the table is too low to do anything useful.

(see attached sketch)

I guess I will buy a cheapo fan and test with the net on.

 

[mrdobie]

what about this idea

 

[BYU]

I have a fan over my tank and one over my sump
keeps the tank cool but get a lot more evaporation over the summer months

I run a 210 without a chiller

if you can get a vornado fan though i think it make a big difference

I also have diy nets over the tank

just my 2 cents

 

[Geraud]

Thanks for the input guys. I will try the 2-fan solutions with the "bouncing" idea for the sump!

 

[Geraud]

I just bought two fans. Obviously today they are not really needed!

But for those who want a small cheap clip-on fan:

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/6-inch-clip-fan/1043708116?Keyword=clip-on+fan

Note that I tested the air flow through the net, and even at very opened angles (the worst case), air flow seems to be fine.

I will monitor the behavior when I am at home to make sure there are no overheating issues.

 

[SantaMonica]

Not sure the bouncing air will work too well. How about one of those flexible air ducts that route air away from clothes dryers? They come in white pvc.

 

[Reef Lobster]

i made a acrylic cover for my sump so that it collects the evaporation. I then cut a hole big enough for the fan intake. Its then mounted securely on the stand frame.

I leave a small crack on one side to leave some room for the heat to escape. This seems to keep my tank nice and steady from 78.2 - 78.8 with my APEX controlling it to go on/ off