Homemade Fan for a Reptile Terrarium

Caring for captive reptiles can be challenging. Reptiles are cold-blooded creatures that take on the temperature of their environment. Reptiles in a terrarium and in the absence of natural sunlight, require a full spectrum UVB, or black lamp, for calcium absorption. Reptiles also require an incandescent light to provide heat. These lights, often combined with an additional heat source, elevate the temperature within a terrarium, and reptile enthusiasts normally include a fan in the habitat, to disperse the heat. Fans can in addition bring fresh air into your terrarium or extract stagnant air. Fans can also help control humidity levels.

Things You'll Need

  • Computer fan, approximately 3 inches square and 1 inch deep
  • Emery paper
  • Clean cloth
  • Soft towel
  • Work surface
  • Electric timer
  • Thermometer
  • Hygrometer to measure humidity
  • Ear buds
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase a small computer fan. Look for a unit that is approximately 3 inches square and 1 inch deep.

    • 2

      Ensure that it operates on 115 volts alternating current, or you will require a transformer as well.

    • 3

      Choose a fan that is capable of moving 25 to 35 cubic feet of air per minute.

    • 4

      Measure the diameter of the computer fan.

    • 5

      Remove one of the glass sliding panes from the terrarium lid and have a circular hole cut in the glass. The hole must be slightly smaller than the fan, so that the fan can sit on the lid without falling through.

    • 6

      Cut a piece of emery paper and sand the inside edges of the hole. Wipe away any dust with a clean cloth.

    • 7

      Lay the glass pane on a soft towel, on a clean and level work surface and squeeze a continuous bead of 100 percent, nontoxic silicone sealer around the circumference of the hole. Ensure that the silicone bead is fairly thick.

    • 8

      Set the fan on the bead and allow the sealer to cure for 24 hours.

    • 9

      Plug the fan into a wall power source and allow it to run for a day, to blow away any residual fumes from the sealer, before placing the glass pane back on the terrarium. The silicone will secure the fan in place and also act as a cushion to prevent the fan from vibrating against the glass and stressing the reptiles.

    • 10

      Do not place a basking rock or other decor below the fan, as you do not want to attract the reptiles to lie directly under the cool air.

    • 11

      Plug the fan into an electric timer. Set the timer to come on each alternate hour during the period that your UVB and incandescent lights are burning.

    • 12

      Monitor the temperature within the terrarium closely during the first day that the fan is operating.

    • 13

      Adjust the length of time that the fan runs, as required. Reset the electrical timer to operate the fan for shorter periods if the temperature drops below the desired range.

    • 14

      Set the electrical timer to turn the fan on for one hour out of every three if the temperature dropped too quickly. Set the electrical timer to run for longer periods if the temperature did not drop sufficiently.

    • 15

      Use ear buds or cotton wool wrapped around a thin plastic rod to remove dust from the blades of the fan. The blades attract a considerable amount of dust and require regular cleaning.