CARBON Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 Saw this mod posted about a year ago (user: wooby), but thought I would give it a try and make a couple slight tweaks. The basic idea is to reduce my tanks overall temperature, hopefully by a couple of degrees. Worse case, maybe it will eliminate the condensation on the bottom of the hood. Supplies: Silenx EFX-08-12 80mm case fan x 2 2 7/8" hole saw 12 volt AC to DC converter (power supply) Hot glue gun Basic soldering equipment, heatshrink, wire, etc. I used a 2 7/8" hole saw to cutout 2 holes on both sides of the Biocube rear latch. My intent was to make the holes look well carved and smooth, so I wouldn't need to add any grills. I used my drill press and as such, does not have a reverse. But it did a great job with only minimal deburring required to make the cutouts smooth. I used hot glue as the adhesive. It was strong enough to prevent the fans from falling off however not too strong so I can replace them in the future if the need arises. I wanted to avoid screws going through the top of the latch. Then I soldered a detachable harness running from my power supply to the fans. This is so I can disconnect/remove the fans without having to unplug. The power supply I used was a cheap universal adjustable voltage. If I would do it again, a straight 12 volt (non adjustable) power supply would be fine, although probably the same price anyway. These fans are extremely quiet, and are very easily drowned out by my skimmer/pump. Just completed the install earlier today, so I will report back in a couple days to see if it will drop the temperature below my ~78 degree normal. Link to comment
Rpc07 Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 Awesome work I'm sure I will be doing this when the weather warms up. How secure is the hot glue? And please update this after a few days and let us know how it's working. Link to comment
CARBON Posted March 21, 2016 Author Share Posted March 21, 2016 Thanks! The hot glue held very well. I tested on the two cutout pieces and it required a significant force to pull them apart. Considering I put a dab on all 4 corners, I don't foresee the fans falling off. Link to comment
Rpc07 Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 Is it possible to get a part number on the power supply you used? Link to comment
CARBON Posted March 21, 2016 Author Share Posted March 21, 2016 https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000Z31G3M/ref=sr_ph_1?qid=1458574482&sr=sr-1π=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=hosa+cable+universal Having the adjustable voltage might actually be useful. I was woken this morning to my low temperature alarm set at 71 degrees. The fans Cooled the tank by approximately 5 degrees, just a couple degrees above the room temperature. I might turn the voltage down from 12 to 9 volts if I find the fans continue to cool so efficiently. Link to comment
kirbaay Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 wow this is great! reminds me of a PC build haha Link to comment
JCase Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 Do you have the fans blowing into the tank or pulling air out? Link to comment
CARBON Posted March 23, 2016 Author Share Posted March 23, 2016 My fans pull air out. Link to comment
JCase Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 My fans pull air out. Any problems with moisture in the fan blades or motor? Link to comment
CARBON Posted March 24, 2016 Author Share Posted March 24, 2016 Nope. In fact, ever since I installed the fans, I no longer have any condensation under the hood when I open it. The fan motors are also completely covered on the underside. Link to comment
netsecpro Posted May 5, 2016 Share Posted May 5, 2016 Ok, I have to ask, How do you keep your tank lid so clean? Link to comment
CARBON Posted May 6, 2016 Author Share Posted May 6, 2016 It was brand new. Im sure after another year it won't look that pristine lol. Link to comment
CWood Posted June 18, 2016 Share Posted June 18, 2016 Update?? How are the fans holding up? Did it drop the temps as planned? Link to comment
CARBON Posted July 16, 2016 Author Share Posted July 16, 2016 Update?? How are the fans holding up? Did it drop the temps as planned? Fans holding up perfectly and my temps are excellent. With my heater controller, my tank fluctuates by only 1 degree. Link to comment
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