How to choose a circulation fan?
In grow tents and rooms, in short, everywhere we need to circulate warm air, growers often use practical circulation fans, which also have uses beyond gardening. We know them well from homes and offices too, where they help maintain our alertness and comfort during hot summer months. These room fans with a transparent rotating propeller, which blow air either onto our plants or directly at us, are available in a wide range of variants. And because you often ask us which one will be right for you, in this article we will focus on the individual types of circulation fans and their features.
If we focus purely on the use of circulation fans for indoor plant growing, we can say that they are the right hand of extract (outlet) and, where applicable, intake (inlet) fans connected to ventilation ducting.
The importance of circulation fans in indoor growing environments
- Fresh air circulation: For your plants to be in perfect condition and to grow inside the grow tent as you expect, they need enough oxygen and carbon dioxide in the immediate vicinity of the leaves. Combined with lighting, this gives us the basis for successful photosynthesis. While classic fans (EC, AC), connected to ventilation ducting, ensure that there is a constant supply of fresh air in the enclosed space, the task of circulation fans or small fans is to ensure its constant movement around the plants. Thanks to them, the plant never manages to use up the CO2 around the leaves completely. And that is exactly what is desirable. Otherwise, growth and overall vitality would deteriorate. Without circulation fans, warm air in various places in the grow box would stagnate, which is certainly not beneficial for herbs or other plant species, as a static climate increases the likelihood of pests appearing in the growing environment.
Equalising the temperature inside the grow box: Returning to the source of artificial lighting, especially high-pressure and sodium discharge lamps (HPS, MH) produce a considerable amount of heat, which circulation and oscillating fans help to disperse effectively at the same time.
Choose according to output, features and installation type
Our shop range includes around thirty models with different outputs. It depends on your needs and also on the size of the growing area. It is simple: the larger the space, the more output is required.
Larger and more powerful fans can be supplemented with smaller ones in large growing spaces. Small fans are sufficient for small grow tents. Robust floor fans can also be supplemented with clip-on fans, which you can easily attach to the frame of the grow box in its upper parts, where long pedestal fans can also reach. There are also robust floor fans suitable for larger growing spaces, which also allow hanging from the ceiling or wall, such as the VF stainless steel fan, which our regular customers call nothing other than the “typhoon”.
The improved new product for 2022, the Pro Fan v2.0 from Garden Highpro, also offers the possibility of easy and secure installation at any height. As the image shows, it also comes in an unusual design.
If you know that the circulation fan will be running almost constantly, it is worth paying extra for quality workmanship (for example ball bearings, a 100% copper motor, stainless steel construction, etc.), which means a longer service life, and energy efficiency can also play a role.
Simulate a natural breeze for your little plants!
Among indoor growers, oscillating fans are very popular. These are room fans with an automatic base rotation function at an angle of up to 90°, thanks to which the air circulates in several directions. Better air distribution is also reflected in better condition of the cultivated plants, for which the automatic oscillation of the fans simulates a favourable real breeze, as if they were growing in nature. Their stems and side branches are therefore more resistant to breaking.
Division of circulation fans by installation type
This part of the article cannot be introduced by any fan other than the multifunctional 3-in-1 “combo” from the VF brand - a circulation fan combining the features of pedestal, wall and floor fans. This means you can use it exactly as you need. In any position, quiet operation and reliable blowing are guaranteed thanks to the powerful motor and automatic horizontal oscillation at 90°. A fully-fledged alternative is the STURM3.
- Pedestal fans: This type of circulation fan requires placement on a firm surface. Thanks to the solid circular base, its main advantage is stability. Pedestal fans usually have an adjustable neck, which makes it possible to direct the airflow at the desired height inside the growing space. A perfect example is the RAM Heavy Duty pedestal fan, whose profile you can see in the image.
- Wall fans: As the name suggests, these circulation fans are intended for installation on a wall. The advantage of this type of installation is undoubtedly space saving. You need a proper fan that you can mount on the wall easily, but which will hold as if nailed in place. That is exactly what the RAM Heavy Duty circulation wall fan brings to growers and others alike. It also includes an oscillation mode and effective protection against injury. In addition, you can also mount it on the ceiling without any problem.
- Floor fans: In the case of this type of fan too, the name already tells us what their main advantage is. Thanks to the lower profile, they allow somewhat easier handling in the space than pedestal models. Floor fans are also among the most powerful. Particularly popular is the quiet RAM floor fan (see the introductory photo) with a protective grille and the option of rotating around its own axis.
- Clip-on fans: Many growers swear by the so-called clip fans in smaller sizes, as they allow them to change their position at any time in a short moment, exactly according to the current needs and the space inside the grow box. They consume a negligible amount of electrical energy. In addition to economical operation, another major advantage is their extra-quiet running. When choosing a specific model, also consider how thick the bars of your grow tent frame are. If you require the longest possible service life, choose a fan equipped with ball bearings. We select products for you very carefully, which is why, not only in the case of fans with clips, we dare to say that you cannot go wrong with any fan from our range; it depends purely on your priorities.
For owners of grow tents from Secret Jardin, the Monkey Fan circulation fans are specially designed. However, as another new product this year proves, the 2-speed Monkey Fan v3.0 oscillating fan with 20 W output means that a Secret Jardin grow box is not a necessary condition for you to benefit from the excellent price-performance ratio these fans offer users. You can easily install them horizontally or vertically in any grow tent.
Speed control
In the vast majority of circulation fans, you will find switching between at least 2 speed modes. Proof of this is, for example, this small but powerful long-term bestseller with a clip and 2 speed modes from the renowned RAM manufacturer (Rapid Air Movement).
Three-stage speed control is offered, among others, by the RAM ECO Fan, and the RAM Heavy Duty pedestal fan even has 4 speed settings, so there is certainly plenty to choose from in terms of speed too. So take a look at the other models we have in stock as well.
We will be happy to advise you on choosing a circulation fan. Do not hesitate to ask us anything via the well-known e-mail address info@higarden.eu. We look forward to your questions!
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