Terrarium Fan - Orchid Board

blackvine · #1 10-24-2013, 10:56 PM

Hi, all -

I'd love a little advice on terrarium fans. I have an aquarium, about 2' X 1', that I got at Pet Supplies and turned into a terrarium - about 6 or 7 orchids in there on a 2" bed of stones. I keep seeing computer fans being good for terrariums, but they are about 5" wide - a bit too big aesthetically for my terrarium. Is there anything that runs economically on batteries that is under 5" that I can put in there? I've looked on Amazon and all the mini, bitty ones have bad reviews.

Any advice??

WhiteRabbit · #2 10-25-2013, 07:16 PM

Good luck!

blackvine · #3 10-25-2013, 11:03 PM

Gee, thanks, Sonya - THAT'S encouraging!

naoki · #4 10-25-2013, 11:21 PM

There are smaller DC (direct current) fans. For example:
Amazon.com: Noctua 40x10mm A-Series Blades with AAO Frame, SSO2 Bearing Premium Retail Cooling Fan NF-A4x10: Computers & Accessories

This is 4cm (less than 2"). Noctua is a high-end (expensive) fan, and there are several different sizes. If you want to connect it to batteries, you can get a battery holder from radioshack (something between 6-12V will do). I would rather connect to an AC/DC wall wart, though.

We use larger fans because the smaller fans are noisier.

tropterrarium · #5 10-26-2013, 12:06 AM

Computer fans come in a variety of sizes down to about 2". See your local electronics store. You can hide fans behind some bark or a pot to make your set-up a bit more esthetically pleasing.

blackvine · #6 10-26-2013, 02:07 PM

Naoki, THAT is a cool looking fan! (Pun intended)

Tindomul · #7 10-26-2013, 10:15 PM

I agree with hooking it up to AC/DC plug. Maybe you can make a compartment for your fan. Something with an inlet for air and outlet for air being pushed up.
Here is a picture of how i worked mine into the background of my newest terrarium. Look to the left of the tank, you can see a rectangular outgrowth of the background. It has an opening at the top and another at the bottom. Air gets sucked in from the top and spewed out from the bottom. That way it circulates the air nicely.
You ofcourse don't have to do it that way, but maybe you can make a tube where you can put your fan inside. You can decorate the tube or incorporate it into your motif.

Good luck!!

DSC_2977 by tindomul1of9, on Flickr