Concealing Fans?

coolguycarlos · #1 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008, 12:10 AM

Just finished my 60gal tanks and as soon as I had it running I realized that I had forgotten to put in fans.. this was very parent after a couple hours when I could see all the condensation on the tank... my question is do you guys hide the fans in order to make them blend in.. most of the ones I have seen that are inside that tank are very apparent...

Jason · #2 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008, 01:22 AM

My plan is to hide the fans outside the tank Useing a section of PVC pipe, The pipe would ride the height of the background from the drainage layer and 1" out the top of the lid. On the top i would seal the fan by affixing it to the top of the pipe with epoxy or silicone upside down to reverse the flow and draw air out of the tank, mainly by drilling a few small holes just above the soil so i can draw air from the bottom of the tank, the second fan can just be mounted on top of the tank blowing in. May even slap them on there own timers..

coolguycarlos · #3 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008, 02:12 AM

thats another question I had about fans... I see that alot of people put fans so they bring air into the tank.. I thought the whole point of the fans where to circulate the air already in the tank..?

Waterkeeper · #4 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008, 09:33 AM

depending on what you are trying to accomplish, the fans need to circulate within the tank. otherwise temp and humidity become an issue.

rudd03 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008, 02:19 PM

I'm clueless on fans. Why do I need them? What problems would I have if I didn't have them?

Waterkeeper · #6 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008, 06:30 PM

Stagnant wet air will cause mold and other issues.
using a fan to circulate some air will keep the dead spots in the tank from accumulating bacteria and fungus and whatnot..

think about how great the slightest breeze feels on a hot humid day...

Jason · #7 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008, 06:40 PM

it really all comes down to the size of your tank imho, a really huge setup with tons of live plants and a great water feature and i wouldnt worry bout a couple PC fans causeing a problem with humidity and temp. but those same 2 fans on a 10g tank would be an issue. oooorrrrrr im an idiot... that happens alot to

bareass · #8 (**permalink**) 06-01-2008, 02:35 AM

ok i have an 18x18x24 exo-terra with a peat moss substrate and live plants housing a crestie. i have a large pc fan (not cpu fan) pushing air in from the top on an angle to move air around in the whole tank... but for the life of me i cannot bring down the humidity. its ok during the day, at about 75% but at night it climbs up to 85-95% then takes quite some time to drop back down during the day.. i stopped misting at night and just some light misting every few days to give my plants a reason to live!. how can i fix this or is my fan setup up stupidly!

p.s i tried putting my fan the other way which made things worse

Waterkeeper · #9 (**permalink**) 06-01-2008, 12:12 PM

What are the changes that take place during the night? like what is your lighting, does anything else turn on/off? have a fogger?

take out your hygrometer and check the Humidity directly above your tank.

Jason · #10 (**permalink**) 06-01-2008, 01:17 PM

Can you slap a pic up of your tank? it may be as simple as something we can see or even a couple holes made in the right place to solve your problem. but a visual would be best. top-sides-back and front