ideal fan placement

elmley · #1 (**permalink**) 01-07-2007, 02:08 AM

I'm in the process of setting up a largish (100 gallon) vivarium for orchids and other tropical plants. I'd be grateful if anyone had any thoughts about where the fan should go. I have a couple of small computer fans (I'm not sure that I would have to install both?). The idea is that the fans will both circulate air for the orchids' health and hopefully prevent the front pane from fogging. Is it best to have the fan on the back pane blowing towards the front pane, or to have the fan mounted upside down on the glass cover so that the air blowns downwards? I also intend having a small vent directly over the front glass - -say a 1" thin vent running the whole length of the front glass.
I'd be most grateful if anyone had any suggestions.

Tindomul1of9 · #2 (**permalink**) 01-08-2007, 01:13 PM

With a tank so large, I would use both small computer fans. In addidtion, I would mount one on the back pane blowing towards the front, and another mounted so that it sucks out a little air from the vivarium, therre fore drawing in new air.

elmley · #3 (**permalink**) 01-08-2007, 07:13 PM

Ok but my concern is with the misting system - surely the fans will get drenched when the misters are in action. Do most vivs with misters have fans mounted inside the viv, or are fans located in the lighting hood. If it's the latter I suppose there has to be some opening in the top glass/acrylic?

Tindomul1of9 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-08-2007, 11:27 PM

I had a fan get wet on a daily basis, many times a day via mister spray. Other than the screws getting rusted, the fan was fine.

Actually now that I think about it. That fan only lasted 1 year. Maybe the wetness killed it? I hadn't thought about that.

Landon · #5 (**permalink**) 01-10-2007, 10:58 AM

i keep my fans outside of the tank over an opening. the misters are inside the tank and i never have water spray onto the fans. the fan wouldnt be my concern, as much as what its plugged in to.

for the sole intent of keeping glass clear, i like them to be towards the front (over an opening) facing up.

for the purpose of growing orchids, there may be some other tricks of the trade, like placing them where you need more air movement because of the layout of the plants. i would check out www.orchidboard.com and see if you cant come up with some other reccomendations.