Tank stand fan exhaust install

[kirkwood]

I always leave one door of my tank stand open to ventilate the sump area. It gets humid quickly if i shut it. Ive finally grown tired of the unfinished look and listening to the pumps so im ready to install an exhaust fan. Im looking on amazon at the standard computer fan size.

My question is in the structural integrity of the stand if i drill a 4" hole through the sidewall. The stand is VERY solid and will be holding an 80g rimless 4ftx2ft.

 

[kwajtrader]

Can you provide some pix of the sidewall showing the supporting frame?

 

[kirkwood]

The interior pic is taken at the top of the sidewall where the tank touches the stand. My idea is to install the fan into the sidewall in the interior of the ornamental etching.
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[bcavalli]

I have several computer fans sitting around. Your more than welcome to have one or two. I think I may even have a 7".

 

[fredfish]

I added a fan to my stand a couple years ago and it does a great job.... It's controlled by my reefkeeper. No issues with stand integrity.
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[kirkwood]

FredFish;1110272 wrote: I added a fan to my stand a couple years ago and it does a great job.... It's controlled by my reefkeeper. No issues with stand integrity.

Looks good. What did you use to drill the hole? I found an AC Infinity fan on amazon with a nice black or white mesh grill along with variable speed control. It gives a nice finished look.

 

[fredfish]

I used a 4 inch hole saw (may have been a tad larger than 4 inches) and routered a nice finished edge on it.

 

[kirkwood]

FredFish;1110292 wrote: I used a 4 inch hole saw (may have been a tad larger than 4 inches) and routered a nice finished edge on it.

You cut from the outside-in? Or vice versa?

 

[fredfish]

Once I located where I wanted the hole I started from the outside and cut in until the the drill bit just begins to break through then you can start from the other side and finish the hole. That will give a clean cut on both sides. Or just continue from the outside if your not concerned about a clean cut on the inside.

 

[kwajtrader]

If you stay away from the vertical braces I would think you'd be fine.

I also have a 6" hole saw you could borrow, sorry, no 4".

 

[dapperjman]

Do those with fans have them blowing air in, so as not to ruin the fan with salt?

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

 

[fredfish]

Have fan blowing in

 

[kirkwood]

FredFish;1110339 wrote: Have fan blowing in

I hadnt thought about that. Is that consensus? I blow air in on the canopy but had initially thought to blow air out for the stand. Makes sense for the fan to blow in.

Anyone using an intake and exhuast fan in the stand to maintain continuous air flow?

 

[fredfish]

I set my fan up both ways...... blowing out, then blowing in and ended up with it blowing out. I like having fresh air go through the fan vs warm humid air and the dust build up that it gets over time stays dry and is easier to clean.