FAN's ..... for terrariums or any other app. - Orchid Board

MrMiagi · #1 01-29-2018, 04:14 PM

Hello all,

Seeing repeated inquiries about what kind of fan(s)
to get for air movement around your plants, i wanted
to relay this info based on personal experience. I believe
another member posted this same info awhile back but
i'd like to back-up his good advice again.
The AC-Infinity brand have a large selection of fans
that would meet our needs for in terrariums or out. Been
using this set to cool my home theater receiver that would get so hot that you couldn't put your hand on it.
Get the SL-1000 twin fan set with AC/USB converter. Has gentle air movement and it's ....Quiet, quiet. Some of the
other larger models would blow the feathers off a chicken or give you a bloody nose. Available form Amazon.

Paul · #2 01-29-2018, 11:18 PM

I just use old PC fans.
They may not be silent but aren't terribly noisy either, and they last and last and last. I have several in a 90 gal terr that have been running 24/7 for at least 7-10 yrs now -- and they weren't new when they went in.

estación seca · #3 01-30-2018, 10:33 PM

Take an old PC fan and an old plug-in AC to DC power adapter/transformer from an appliance that doesn't work any more, like an electric shaver.

Cut the wires on both, leaving them as long as possible. Strip the insulation from the ends on each, about a half inch / 1cm.

Wrap the white wire on the fan to the white wire on the power adapter. Wrap the other wire on the fan (probably red) to the other wire on the power adapter (probably red.) Secure them with tight electrician's tape, or a twist-on plastic wire junction nut.

Plug in the transformer. The fan will run. Keep the wire junction someplace dry.

The transformers can easily power multiple computer fans wired together in series or parallel.

Fishkeeper · #4 01-31-2018, 01:27 AM

I have a similar fan to what's pictured, I think. It's a USB fan intended to be plugged into the USB port of a computer, but you can plug it into the cable-to-wall adapter of an Iphone cord, and it runs just fine. Any USB fan should do the same.

dansyr · #5 01-31-2018, 11:25 AM

Computer fan user here too. Simple way to make things quieter is to get a slightly too-big computer fan and run at lower voltage. Currently I'm using a slightly oversized 12v fan with a 6v or 9v (forget) cell phone power supply. Completely silent, vs. a slight hum I had from a 9v fan running at all 9v.

Paul · #6 01-31-2018, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by estación seca

...and an old plug-in AC to DC power adapter/transformer from an appliance that doesn't work any more, like an electric shaver.

While that is the cheaper way to go -- and I am ALL about "thrifty"

-- I prefer using a variable AC/DC adaptor .... it allows one to have a measure of control over the fan speed since you can change the voltage.

Tindomul · #7 03-01-2018, 05:40 PM

A year ago I purchased some ecoplus fans. Very strong for large terrariums. I've used all sorts of brands and sources. I've done the DIY like Paul and others. I've bought them ready for terrarium use etc... I think I have only had 1 break. Most of them still work, and several have been in constant operation 24/7 for 10+ years. Just pick out one that will give you the desired air movement.