POLL: Cooling fans for lights...to suck or to blow?

[ljtellef]

Hello!

I recently upgraded from three 175W MH's to three 250W MH's. The higher
wattage bulbs increased the temp. (peak temp is 9 degree's above room temp
=> 85 degree water temp). I knew this would happen so at the same time I
purchased the new lights, I purchased a 3rd IceCap fan to install into the
light hood. Currently 2 four inch IceCap fans (mounted side by side) blow
into the lid, from the back, on the right hand side. There is a hole of
equal size on the left side, in the back to vent the heat.

My Questions:
1) Should I bother with a 3rd fan? 85 degrees is not that hot.
2) Would adding a 3rd fan blowing in be more beneficial than a sucking air
out of the lid?
3) What side should the 3rd fan be placed?
4) Would introducing a 4th fan help? If so, please repeat #2 & #3 above :)

Thanks!
LarryT

[kim gross]

ljtellef wrote:

> Hello!
>
> I recently upgraded from three 175W MH's to three 250W MH's. The higher
> wattage bulbs increased the temp. (peak temp is 9 degree's above room temp
> => 85 degree water temp). I knew this would happen so at the same time I
> purchased the new lights, I purchased a 3rd IceCap fan to install into the
> light hood. Currently 2 four inch IceCap fans (mounted side by side) blow
> into the lid, from the back, on the right hand side. There is a hole of
> equal size on the left side, in the back to vent the heat.
>
> My Questions:
> 1) Should I bother with a 3rd fan? 85 degrees is not that hot.
> 2) Would adding a 3rd fan blowing in be more beneficial than a sucking air
> out of the lid?
> 3) What side should the 3rd fan be placed?
> 4) Would introducing a 4th fan help? If so, please repeat #2 & #3 above :)
>
> Thanks!
> LarryT
>
>
Larry,

If you want max life out of the fan put it blowing in. If you put it on
the other end of the tank it will make quite a difference in the
cooling, as long as the is enough vent area in the back of the hood.

The reason for blowing in, is that the hot humid air being sucked
through the fan is very bad for the fan and will cause it to fail much
sooner than if it blows the cooler dry air into the tank.

Kim

[Rod]

To add to what Kim Said,, blowing the air in will also be blowing air accross
the wayer surface, which will aid in more eveporation, and evaporation aids in
cooling.

>
>If you want max life out of the fan put it blowing in. If you put it on
>the other end of the tank it will make quite a difference in the
>cooling, as long as the is enough vent area in the back of the hood.
>
>The reason for blowing in, is that the hot humid air being sucked
>through the fan is very bad for the fan and will cause it to fail much
>sooner than if it blows the cooler dry air into the tank.
>
>Kim

Rod Buehler
www.asplashoflife.com