Temperature Activated Fan

[ReeferMadness99]

Hey guys, I'm looking for a cooling fan that has a Temp. sensitive On/Off. Or a simple Temp. sensitive On/Off switch that I can plug a cooling fan into. I'd like to pick up the Aquatek 6-fan strip thats all over ebay but I need to connect it to a switch that'll turn it on when my tank hits 78 degrees. Or, if they make a fan that has a temp sensor built in that'll work too. Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[MatthewScars]

http://www.rancoetc.com/

the single unit is like 50 bucks i think.

 

[BZOFIQ]

yep you need either a single or dual stage controller. Usually people who buy single stage later upgrade to dual stage so that one controller controls both cooling and heating side and you don't have both running cancelling each other out.

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

http://www.rancoetc.com/

the single unit is like 50 bucks i think.

Good info. the isolation of power source in the controller is very useful!

 

[Prachmuth]

Cheaper alternative.

I settled for a cheaper alternative. I connected a small all-purpose fan (actually, my son's camp fan) to a plug splitter on one of my lighting timers. Whenever one of my balasts turn on, the fan turns on as well.

Two off-the-shelf items instead of one expensive item - gets you 90% there for 40% of the price.

 

[morphiii]

Get a reefkeeper, buying all those controllers become redundant.

 

[bimmer01]

I have a ranco controller connected to 2 fans. My fans turn on when my controller reaches 82 degrees and it shuts off when its down to 80 degrees. Works like a charm!

 

[rtolz]

Sunlight Supply Cooling Thermostat Fan Control

I've been looking for the same thing, since I'm about to do some retro lighting in my hood and want to keep it cool. I'll be installing four 3" Silenx fans.

The first step will be to simply have the fans turn on with the ballasts, as another member was suggesting. Turning them on and off with the temperature seems a bit more sophisticated, and I might go that route, but I'm not yet convinced it's necessary.

In any event, I did turn up something that is designed to control fans thermostatically: Sunlight Supply Cooling Thermostat Fan Control

Marine Depot has it (for $64.99), but I found it much cheaper at www.horticulturesource.com ($51.30)

 

[alrha]

I have a ranco controller connected to 2 fans. My fans turn on when my controller reaches 82 degrees and it shuts off when its down to 80 degrees. Works like a charm!

a little warm, no?
My fans turn on at 79 and off at 78. (target temp is 77 with ideal range of 76-78)

 

[MatthewScars]

its summer. when its 84 in your house, and you dont have a chiller, dont expect fans to get the temp down to 78!

 

[DCG1286]

its summer. when its 84 in your house, and you dont have a chiller, dont expect fans to get the temp down to 78!

I don't have a chiller ... it gets warm in my place ... I don't have a problem keeping my temps down at 77-78 ... with just the use of fans ... hmmmmmmmmmm ... :scratch:

 

[alrha]

besides, if it gets to 84 in my house my wife would likely throw me out.
she puts the A/C on 40F in the summer and the heat on 80F in the winter (she likes whatever costs more). As such, heat is more of an issue for me in the winter than it is in the summer (but i get to just open the window in the fish room to keep it cool).

 

[dmr2000]

It's one of three or a combo fans on timmers a chiller or a/c I do all of the above :splitspin

 

[HHaase]

I'm working on a DIY temp control as we speak, just waiting for a couple more parts to arrive before I build/test it. If it works out ok, I'll share the plans. Running about $5 + fans and 12v power block for the cost.

-Hans

 

[ReeferMadness99]

You know, I have a controller for my heat that kicks in when the tank drops under 75. I think I'll just set the fan on a 12 hour daylight timer. If it cools the tank too much, the heat will always turn on. Just have to deal with more evaporation.