Any use for PC fans?

[matlet]

I am tearing down a handful of my old PCs for parts. I am wondering if there is any value or use for the fans found in the desktop units (for the reef hobby)?

 

[bhodges82]

I’ve seen people use the to make magnetic stirrers for dosing containers.


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[AquariumSchmo]

Lots of uses. I have one on my stand to push fresh air in. Some put them on canopies to circulate air. And melevsreef sells fan tray brackets for evaporative cooling.

 

[snowmansnow]

Lord yea.... lots of people use them to move air over the water
Although w led being so popular cooling isn’t as much of an issue as it was back with MH


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[tbub1221]

I use 2x to circulate/pull fresh air in to my stand next to my sump , I dont really know if its necessary but I'm addicted to gadgets and extra junk I don't need it would seem

 

[wildernets]

Yea, they are great as cheap air movers. Gotta watch the noise though. Really like the stirrer idea though. I had a canopy that had 4 at each end. Half pulled air out and half pushed it in.

 

[FutureInterest]

T5s work better when they are actively cooled as well especially if you're using icecap ballasts. The bulbs will last a lot longer and if you're overdriving them you'll get a lot more light with active cooling. With my last tank I actively cooled with PC fans and the drop off on the bulbs wasn't significant until around 19 months for me. Prior to that I would change them around the 12 month mark. I never did a cost benefit analysis in terms of equipment and electrical draw... since the hassle of changing t5 bulbs was a heavily weighted factor for me.