temperature controled fans

1wizz

1wizz

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Jul 1, 2005
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Edge of the New Forest, Hampshire UK
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David
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Hi all, can anybody tell me if you can get temperature controlled fans or a probe than will turn on and off a 240volt desk fan to help controll water temp?
My problem is that my tank heats up during midday so having the fan on before i go to work the temp drops to much early monring and the same if its left on through the afternoon.
I think a cooler would be a little over the top as a small clip on 5" fan works well if you remember to swich it on and off.
 
If you want to do something in a hood, you can purchase a ThermalTake smart fan, which has a thermal probe and variably adjusts speed based on temp.

looks like a computer fan.
 
DarkSoul said:
If you want to do something in a hood, you can purchase a ThermalTake smart fan, which has a thermal probe and variably adjusts speed based on temp.

looks like a computer fan.
Click to expand...

I think the TT threshhold is a bit high for it to work properly as intended.

20C (68F) is 1300RPM
57C (134F) is 4800RPM

Futher, there is no ON/OFF. You would have to build a thermocouple switch (or buy one) to get the effect of ON/OFF.

A Better and cheaper option is to put the fan on a timer. Timers cost $6 -$12 where a thermocouple setup (bought not made) will cost about $25+.

Good Luck

Aries
 
ThermalTake doesn't "look like" a computer fan, it IS one. It's set up for CPU temperatures usually, though you may be able to fine some case fans for lower temperatures. You'd need to research then individually. As suggested though, why not have them on a timer? I've got an AquaPod and they come on with one of the lights. Granted it's manufactured that way, but it should be relativly simple to add in a fan to the wiring. Unless you're bad with electricity. Then find someone you don't like to help :-)
 
Tanks all,
I was considering going down the computer fan route and have thought about timers but during less than sunny weather it would not always be required but on hot days it needs to be on its highest speed:headshake2:
Iam a bit diy-ish so did wonder if using a tank heater in reverse, somehow would work, instead of turning the power off when a set temp is reached it would it would power up a fan :idea:
Would be a simple fix. dicuss...
 
A thermocouple is what most heaters use for a thermostat: two different metals that are pancaked together. The two different metal expand/contract according to heat differently, so it cuases the thermocouple to bend one way when it is heated up, and the other when the thermocouple it is cooled. The way it works in an aquarium heater is such that heating bends the thermocouple from the conector, breaking the circuit (turning it off), and the oppisite happens when cooling ocurs.

SO... AS you can probably see, you need it to work in the opisite way... plus, the heating coil would need to be removed from the circuit. To do this, it's pretty simple really... just remove the thermocouple, and rotate 180*, return thermocouple.

NOW... I have no idea how would actually go about making these modifications, I have not and will not be attepting this... And I am not responsible if you burn your house down...

Personally I'd just buy one of these, or something similar:

http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_controllers_aqua_logic.asp?CartId=

Much simpler, and you can sue if it burns your house down:) Not that I expect that to happen.

Also, you can look into a controller for your whole aquarium... not a whole lot more expensive compared to some of those unit, and you can get them to monitor parameters, turn your lights on/off, function as a wavemaker, etc...

http://aquariumcontrollers.com/
 
Thanks all for the interest.:cheers: Huuum, thinking... I like the idea of using a heater and modifiing it,all experiments will accure at work under strict conditions( when all management are out) so my house should not be in danger.
Whilst thinking i came up with an idea based on a car radiator,because or the corrosive nature of salt water a small radiator would need to be made of plastic tube, water is drawn through the tube/s at all times by a power head passing over a temperature sensor which switches the fan on at a preset temp all fittings are placed over the edge of the tank as to reduce any risk of flooding.
Advantages:- added water movement. pinpoint control of water temp.
All designed around a small fan could look better than the clip on desk fans most of us use
:confused: :confused: :confused:
 
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