WrinkledNugSack
Well-known member
I'm certain many people have purchased the small fans for in smaller grow spaces and found that they are hardly worth the purchase price.
To remedy this, I bought a Hurricane Classic Oscillating wall mount 16" fan (hgc736503_re) years ago. I mounted it on a section of "puck board" and zip tied it to the cross braces on my tent.
It moved far too much air for in my 5'x5', so I removed the cage around the fan (because who cares about safety anyway) and then removed the fan blade. They are quite pliable so I took a marker and marked off about a 25cm section along the outer blade perimeter on one blade. I then took a tin snip and cut this piece off.
Using the same piece I cut off, I marked the other two blades in hopes that the fan blade would still remain somewhat balanced after surgery.
After removing the other two blade sections, I found that the blade remained fairly balanced, so I remounted it on the fan.
It worked so well that I decided to buy two more identical fans and cut the blades in different radius' so I can change them out at different times throughout the grow.
A caution here: There is a point (and it comes quicker than one might think) that the fan blade can be too small and not move much air at all. I would try removing the 25mm section first, then work my way down from there, instead of going too far the first time. If memory serves me correctly, I think I would have been close to 40mm and that was on the verge of too much... but its good for seedlings to get them used to the breeze.
Another caution: Unless you re-install the fan cage, you want to be wary of that rotating fan. I only run mine on low at all times and have gotten too close, and man, that baby will open you up! I suppose a person could use a 240 grit flapper disc on an angle grinder and try to smooth the edges a bit, but caution is the key... even sanded down that thing would at least sting.
So, for about $200.00 I have 3 fans, 3 exchangeable blades and three of the metal hooks that the fan hangs from. I mounted them at different heights along my puck board mounting plate and can raise or lower the fan as needed. (You have to space them correctly though.)
I think my first fan has been rotating for at least 5 years and still have two new in the boxes... I should be set for the rest of my growing days, and if not, there will likely be some fancy new do-dad that will catch my eye and render them obsolete.
To remedy this, I bought a Hurricane Classic Oscillating wall mount 16" fan (hgc736503_re) years ago. I mounted it on a section of "puck board" and zip tied it to the cross braces on my tent.
It moved far too much air for in my 5'x5', so I removed the cage around the fan (because who cares about safety anyway) and then removed the fan blade. They are quite pliable so I took a marker and marked off about a 25cm section along the outer blade perimeter on one blade. I then took a tin snip and cut this piece off.
Using the same piece I cut off, I marked the other two blades in hopes that the fan blade would still remain somewhat balanced after surgery.
After removing the other two blade sections, I found that the blade remained fairly balanced, so I remounted it on the fan.
It worked so well that I decided to buy two more identical fans and cut the blades in different radius' so I can change them out at different times throughout the grow.
A caution here: There is a point (and it comes quicker than one might think) that the fan blade can be too small and not move much air at all. I would try removing the 25mm section first, then work my way down from there, instead of going too far the first time. If memory serves me correctly, I think I would have been close to 40mm and that was on the verge of too much... but its good for seedlings to get them used to the breeze.
Another caution: Unless you re-install the fan cage, you want to be wary of that rotating fan. I only run mine on low at all times and have gotten too close, and man, that baby will open you up! I suppose a person could use a 240 grit flapper disc on an angle grinder and try to smooth the edges a bit, but caution is the key... even sanded down that thing would at least sting.
So, for about $200.00 I have 3 fans, 3 exchangeable blades and three of the metal hooks that the fan hangs from. I mounted them at different heights along my puck board mounting plate and can raise or lower the fan as needed. (You have to space them correctly though.)
I think my first fan has been rotating for at least 5 years and still have two new in the boxes... I should be set for the rest of my growing days, and if not, there will likely be some fancy new do-dad that will catch my eye and render them obsolete.
