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TINKERERS!!!!

I need some help..

I have two computer fans that are mounted into my new canopy, but I'm not sure exactly what I've got to do to get them working.. They've got those little white, square pluggy things on the ends rather than an actual power cord..

Anybody know what I need to buy to get them going??

What voltage are the fans set at?

It sounds like it's a computer fan since it has the white plug on the end.

If this is indeed the case, I would suggest going to Radioshack and getting a 12v transformer (wall wart). Then all you do is cut the connector off the end of the wall wart and cut the white plug off the fan ends. Then connect the fan lines to the transformer line.

-Justin

PS: If you hook them up backwards, they won't work. And make sure you mount them in the correct flow direction!

Thanks, Justin..

It says DC12V on the fan casing, and it is indeed a computer fan.. Enermax UC-12FAB-B with an adjustable fan speed.. Umm.... Speed settings are 1500RPM ~ 2300RPM.. I figured I'd set them at 2300RPM and see what happens.. Is that enough?? Too much??

My insturctions on installing them are correct then.

I would just say tinker with it some to find the best set-up for your needs. I have found that in a 2 fan set-up, it's most beneficial to have both fans blowing into the canopy.

The reason being that one blowing in and one blowing out seems to be about half as effective as both fans blowing in the same direction. I've also heard stories of fans that are sucking air out, corroding and rusting from the "salt air".

I would only run them as much as it needs to keep the tank temperature steady.

Some helpful tips:

Only run them when the lights are on.

Don't have them cooling the tank so much that the heater and the fans are in a "battle" to keep the tank at a steady temperature.

Depending on your set-up, the fans will more than likely increase your evaporation rate. So make sure you adjust your top off consistency.

When you connect the wires, make sure they are sealed to prevent corrosion. I've found that since most people aren't handy with a soldering iron and heat shrink tubing, that wire nuts filled with hot glue will work just as well.



-Justin

I've got fans on my lights in an FW tank. I just used an old computer power supply to power them, but converters work much better. I have mine on the same timer as my lights so they go on and off in unison. They keep my tank at a constant temp of 79 F

Thanks so much, guys.. I appreciate the help.. Once I get everything going I'll post some pictures of it all..

I was planning on having one fan blowing into the tank with the other fan blowing out, but with you saying that you prefer them both blowing in I wouldn't mind any other opinions on what folks think is best..

Thanks again!!