Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi! I'm constructing a large tropical vivarium for dart frogs out of wood. Its 42" long, 30" tall and 16" deep. I want to install small fans to allow air circulation and ventilation. Where could I find such fans, how much do they cost, and what would be the best way to go about installing them (both to protect the dart frogs from the fan, and so that it will look asthetically pleasing because the vivarium and its stand are made of furniture quality wood and are made to furniture quality standards. Thanks for your help!

Mike

If you're looking for computer fans you could get them at Comp USA or online at Newegg.com, I've built several PC's and have always had good service thru Newegg. But PC fans run on a low current and usually only have a 2 or 3 prong plug in so I'm not sure how you would power that outside of a PC other than using a power supply made for a PC and use those connections. You can get a PC power supply pretty cheap, they'll have several power connectors and the power supply has an On / Off switch.

As for protection for the animals .. I'm not sure how your enclosure is set up but I'd definitly mount them outside the case with some kind of screen so the animal cannot get in contact with the blades.
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Pete

1- 0.1 Boa Constrictor
1- 1.0 Patternless Green Burm
1- 0.1 Pueblan Milksnake - Apricot phase
1- 0.0.1 Honduran Milksnake - Tangerine phase
1- 1.0 Ball Python
1- 0.1 Rainbow Boa
1- 0.0.1 Cornsnake - Blood

I'm not saying yay or nay on whether to use the fans. That's up to you. If you decide to use them, Newegg is a great place to get them. Great selection, great service, fast delivery and very competitive prices. They have never let me down. As far as supplying power to them, you can buy ac adapters most anywhere. I bought some at Walmart for the incubator I built this year. Good luck with your project.
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Louis Kirkland
Cornerstone Reptiles

IMO I think PC fans are inappropriate for your situation.

I think you can get away with vents near the rear top and front bottom. Inconjunction with the lights above the enclosure, the two vents will create airflow by means of thermodynamics. When the air inside heats up it will rise and leave the top of the enclosure near the rear (or where ever you place the vent). As this air leaves the enclosure it will draw cold air in the bottom of the enclosure, giving you your airflow.

I am not sure what species of dart you keep but to much airflow is a bad thing this is certainly going to be the case with a PC fan.

Remember the KISS concept and you will be fine!

Good Luck
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Jeremy

"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow RTB's
1.1 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.2 Pastel Hypo RTB's
2.0 Double Het Stripe Albino RTB's
0.1 Suriname RTB
0.1 Anerthrystic RTB
0.0.11 Red Bearded Dragons
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
1.0 Pomeriaian
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse
0.0.1 Youth -coming soon-

I agree with Jeremy, I think vents would be better. I'm by no means an authority about cage design ...
The only reason I gave the info about the fans was because thats what micky-kennie had asked about.
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Pete

1- 0.1 Boa Constrictor
1- 1.0 Patternless Green Burm
1- 0.1 Pueblan Milksnake - Apricot phase
1- 0.0.1 Honduran Milksnake - Tangerine phase
1- 1.0 Ball Python
1- 0.1 Rainbow Boa
1- 0.0.1 Cornsnake - Blood