Do I NEED to run the fans?

dougz · 04-23-2008, 09:11 PM

The fan that came with these 54w T-5 strips:

http://www.bigalsonline.ca/BigAlsCA/...000kfreshwater

Is quite noisy..

One going is not TOO bad, just a mosquito like hum..

But 2 going, and you need to raise your voice to be heard..

Do I NEED to run them?

I won't be covering them with a canopy or anything..

**goalcreas** · 04-23-2008, 09:36 PM

I think you don't need to.
Try without them on and as long as it is not too hot to hold you should be fine.
If it is too hot to hold, then turn them back on.
Maybe do a test and see how hot it is with them on, then turn them off and see if it gets any hotter?

dougz · 04-23-2008, 10:30 PM

Yup, that sounds reasonable enough, thanks!

John N. · 04-23-2008, 11:29 PM

T5's typically run cool. I know a few people who have that particular fixture (and the Current CF fixture) who are running them without fans. I think the risk you run is wearing out the bulbs a bit quicker then normal because of the heat.

-John N.

dougz · 04-24-2008, 01:37 AM

I guess I could put them on a timer..

Turn on after 3 hours, run for an hour, go another 3 hours till they turn on again..

I'll experiment..

ColeMan · 04-24-2008, 01:45 AM

you could always retro-fit a quieter fan; people do it all the time using the same fans (80cm?) used to cool computer CPU's...IceCap also makes a temp. sensitive fan you could use, or you could invest in some type of controller (like an AC Jr. or RK or something) and have your fans/lights turn off/on to maintain proper tank temps...just some suggestions...

But I'd say to maximize bulb life (and subsequent intensity) using the fan at least a few hours a day (right around a noon light-burst or whenever the hottest part of the day is for your tank) is important, though not as important than if you were running CF's.

dougz · 04-24-2008, 02:41 AM

Well, I could also just turn the fans off the few times I actually would like quiet in that room (not very often at all)..

Pat7676 · 04-24-2008, 04:54 PM

I have these with my light. I used to not run them it made the strip run a little to hot for me. So i started running them yeah they are a little noisy but you get used to them quick now i don't even hear them at all.

dougz · 04-24-2008, 05:01 PM

Yeah, I guess I'll be fine running them and just turning them off on the very few occasions when I'll be in there with company or something..

Pat7676 · 04-24-2008, 05:07 PM

Yeah i have done that as well. Most times when company comes over and i leave it on they never say anything.

dougz · 04-24-2008, 05:19 PM

I can put them on their own power bar, and have them both off with the flick of a switch..

Pat7676 · 04-24-2008, 11:54 PM

Sounds good. I should set mine up to do the same thing.

04-23-2008, 09:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
dougz Senior Aquascaper Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: mackenzie, BC Posts: 281	Do I NEED to run the fans? The fan that came with these 54w T-5 strips: http://www.bigalsonline.ca/BigAlsCA/...000kfreshwater Is quite noisy.. One going is not TOO bad, just a mosquito like hum.. But 2 going, and you need to raise your voice to be heard.. Do I NEED to run them? I won't be covering them with a canopy or anything..

04-23-2008, 09:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
goalcreas Senior Aquascaper Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 265	I think you don't need to. Try without them on and as long as it is not too hot to hold you should be fine. If it is too hot to hold, then turn them back on. Maybe do a test and see how hot it is with them on, then turn them off and see if it gets any hotter? __________________ www.aape.naturalaquariums.com No mess, no fuss - the pfertz™ aquatic fertilizer system

04-23-2008, 11:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
John N. Administrator Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: California Posts: 1,242	T5's typically run cool. I know a few people who have that particular fixture (and the Current CF fixture) who are running them without fans. I think the risk you run is wearing out the bulbs a bit quicker then normal because of the heat. -John N. __________________ Welcome to AquaScaping World!

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04-23-2008, 10:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
dougz Senior Aquascaper Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: mackenzie, BC Posts: 281	Yup, that sounds reasonable enough, thanks!

04-24-2008, 01:37 AM	#5 (permalink)
dougz Senior Aquascaper Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: mackenzie, BC Posts: 281	I guess I could put them on a timer.. Turn on after 3 hours, run for an hour, go another 3 hours till they turn on again.. I'll experiment..

04-24-2008, 01:45 AM	#6 (permalink)
ColeMan Junior Aquascaper Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 40	you could always retro-fit a quieter fan; people do it all the time using the same fans (80cm?) used to cool computer CPU's...IceCap also makes a temp. sensitive fan you could use, or you could invest in some type of controller (like an AC Jr. or RK or something) and have your fans/lights turn off/on to maintain proper tank temps...just some suggestions... But I'd say to maximize bulb life (and subsequent intensity) using the fan at least a few hours a day (right around a noon light-burst or whenever the hottest part of the day is for your tank) is important, though not as important than if you were running CF's.

04-24-2008, 02:41 AM	#7 (permalink)
dougz Senior Aquascaper Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: mackenzie, BC Posts: 281	Well, I could also just turn the fans off the few times I actually would like quiet in that room (not very often at all)..

04-24-2008, 04:54 PM	#8 (permalink)
Pat7676 Senior Aquascaper Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Jackson, Mississippi Posts: 753	I have these with my light. I used to not run them it made the strip run a little to hot for me. So i started running them yeah they are a little noisy but you get used to them quick now i don't even hear them at all.

04-24-2008, 05:01 PM	#9 (permalink)
dougz Senior Aquascaper Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: mackenzie, BC Posts: 281	Yeah, I guess I'll be fine running them and just turning them off on the very few occasions when I'll be in there with company or something..

04-24-2008, 05:07 PM	#10 (permalink)
Pat7676 Senior Aquascaper Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Jackson, Mississippi Posts: 753	Yeah i have done that as well. Most times when company comes over and i leave it on they never say anything.

04-24-2008, 05:19 PM	#11 (permalink)
dougz Senior Aquascaper Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: mackenzie, BC Posts: 281	I can put them on their own power bar, and have them both off with the flick of a switch..

04-24-2008, 11:54 PM	#12 (permalink)
Pat7676 Senior Aquascaper Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Jackson, Mississippi Posts: 753	Sounds good. I should set mine up to do the same thing.