On top of that question. Do anyone have a wireing diagram if you used PC fans? If not, what fans do you recomdend? I plan on building a canaopy soon, and i would like to put a couple exsaust fans on it.
Question for Aquarium Woodworkers
- Thread starter snickle
- Start date
On top of that question. Do anyone have a wireing diagram if you used PC fans? If not, what fans do you recomdend? I plan on building a canaopy soon, and i would like to put a couple exsaust fans on it.
Yes PC fans do the trick. You can buy them relatively inexpensive, I bought a set of 4 12V 4" fans for $17.00. There are a few different items you need to pay close attention to when buying the fans.
1. The CFM Rating (Cubic Foot per Minute) This is the amount of air flow the fan will produce. In a 4" fan you should be able to get some in the 90 to 100CFM range.
2. The dB rating(decibel rating) Try to get some in the lowest range you can, I think mine are around 15dB. I have two running on each side of my hood and you can barley hear them.
I recommend the 12V fans because you can get a higher CFM rating with a low dB rating then that of the comparable 120V fan. And they are less expensive.
With that being said you will need a 120V to 12V Power adapter. I personally bought a universal Power Supply from Radio Shack so I could adjust the voltage to slow the fans down if I needed to. It turns out I didn't need to, I leave the fans on high all the time. You will need a 2000 ma power supply to run for fans is will probably rum you about $20.00 at Radio Shack or Fry’s Electronics.
As for a wiring diagram I will take some time tonight it draw something up on autoCAD and post to tomorrow.
I posted a couple of pics so you will have an idea of what mine looks like.
1. The CFM Rating (Cubic Foot per Minute) This is the amount of air flow the fan will produce. In a 4" fan you should be able to get some in the 90 to 100CFM range.
2. The dB rating(decibel rating) Try to get some in the lowest range you can, I think mine are around 15dB. I have two running on each side of my hood and you can barley hear them.
I recommend the 12V fans because you can get a higher CFM rating with a low dB rating then that of the comparable 120V fan. And they are less expensive.
With that being said you will need a 120V to 12V Power adapter. I personally bought a universal Power Supply from Radio Shack so I could adjust the voltage to slow the fans down if I needed to. It turns out I didn't need to, I leave the fans on high all the time. You will need a 2000 ma power supply to run for fans is will probably rum you about $20.00 at Radio Shack or Fry’s Electronics.
As for a wiring diagram I will take some time tonight it draw something up on autoCAD and post to tomorrow.
I posted a couple of pics so you will have an idea of what mine looks like.
Plecosterone
We don't need no stinking badges!
Pine takes paint good, but the knots will eventually "bleed" through the paint unless properly sealed first. The only thing that I have found that works to stop this bleeding is orange shelac. 2 - 3 coats and then primer and paint.
Hopefully the black will keep the knots hidden. I used select pine, so the knotting is minimal.
This one is largely a prototype anyway. I did not both with routing the edges, etc. Just using it to flesh out the design. I will probaly redo it in poplar later and that take the time to get the fitting perfect and do some router work on it.
This one is largely a prototype anyway. I did not both with routing the edges, etc. Just using it to flesh out the design. I will probaly redo it in poplar later and that take the time to get the fitting perfect and do some router work on it.
I'm planning on building a canopy and so this thread has been very helpful.
What about the thickness of the material. Certainly if I were building a stand, I would want to use "1 by" (.75"). However, on the canopy, I'd like to use something more lightweight, since it is bearing no load and sets on the tank rim. But I don't think thinner boards (1/2", 3/8") are commonly available, are they?
TIA
What about the thickness of the material. Certainly if I were building a stand, I would want to use "1 by" (.75"). However, on the canopy, I'd like to use something more lightweight, since it is bearing no load and sets on the tank rim. But I don't think thinner boards (1/2", 3/8") are commonly available, are they?
TIA
I used 1x delect pine. Yes, it is 3/4 thick. I came up with a base design and then modified to fit available materials.
Net result:
1x8 for the outside of the canopy
The a 1x3 to catch the top lip off tank and to rest my light slider on. I am using the AHSupply 4x55 kit. I mount the reflector on the underside of a 1x4 and the ballast on top. That way I can slide the lights back while working on the tank or remove them totally if desired.
A 1x2 strip at the back to add stength and keep the canopy from sliding forward.
A coupole scraps to make a rest for the top. I used 1/2 spacing for the top, I will either user thin wood or maype plastic pegboard for ventilation. I need my lights first.
Net result:
1x8 for the outside of the canopy
The a 1x3 to catch the top lip off tank and to rest my light slider on. I am using the AHSupply 4x55 kit. I mount the reflector on the underside of a 1x4 and the ballast on top. That way I can slide the lights back while working on the tank or remove them totally if desired.
A 1x2 strip at the back to add stength and keep the canopy from sliding forward.
A coupole scraps to make a rest for the top. I used 1/2 spacing for the top, I will either user thin wood or maype plastic pegboard for ventilation. I need my lights first.
