I haven't even gotten the tank setup and I'm hearing differing opinions. The tank is 450 gallons, with 12 6 foot 56W fluorescents, an Iwaki MD100RLT pump, skimmer rated at 700 to 800 gallons, and a Tidepool filter. I plan to run the lights full force about 6 hours a day, then only 3 about 4 hours a day, then the moon light about 4 hours at night. Everything is on timers. What am I looking at spending per month electricity wise on running this setup? No water changes, only top off water. Fish only with inverts. I have heard some say hardly nothing, maybe max $10 more per month, and I have heard some people say a lot. Please be honest with me. I'm not rich by any means. I just got a very good deal on the used tank and equipment.
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Be honest with me...
- Thread starter larsson
- Start date
Due to the vast cost difference for electricity between states, it is quite hard to derive a solid number. Do you currently have an aquarium up and runnng? If so, what size...how much does it cost you to maintain that aquarium? Lets say it takes you $30.00 a month in electricity to maintain this aquarium and its a 60 gal. so 450/60 = roughly 7..so 7 x 30.00 = 210.00 This is a rough idea towards the picture you are looking at.
My elec bill averages $130.00 My apartment does not have AC nor heat. So the bill is derived from the aquariums, apartment lighting and computers.
My elec bill averages $130.00 My apartment does not have AC nor heat. So the bill is derived from the aquariums, apartment lighting and computers.
One more consideration... Are you heating the tank? If so to what extent would / could be the temp differential of the surrounding room be? ( For me it's a significant amount)
I live in the N.E. and I understand we have very high electric rates compared to much of the rest of the country. (Except California of course)
But simply adding all the wattages and calculate your kwh -- times your current approximate rate and you can get a rough estimate.
Though with that lighting scheme I'd imagine it to be not a very substantial amount of additional cost....
:roll:
I live in the N.E. and I understand we have very high electric rates compared to much of the rest of the country. (Except California of course)
But simply adding all the wattages and calculate your kwh -- times your current approximate rate and you can get a rough estimate.
Though with that lighting scheme I'd imagine it to be not a very substantial amount of additional cost....
:roll:
hi.
GT's number sounds about right for his tank. Usually the running cost of aquarium will go down ($ per gal) as you increase the size, but that's just a rule of thumb.
It will be $10 more per month if your current setup is a 400 gal, or you have a fusson reactor in your basement. I guess it is from someone who is either the seller or someone who knows your current setup.
with just pump and light, you are using about 10 kW*hr per day. With heater/chiller and skimmer pump, you are looking at about 15-20kW* hr per day. With my electricity rate (So. Cal. ~15 cent per kW*hr I think...), you will be looking at $45 to $100 per month.
FO usually cost less in electricity than full reef.
GT's number sounds about right for his tank. Usually the running cost of aquarium will go down ($ per gal) as you increase the size, but that's just a rule of thumb.
I have heard some say hardly nothing, maybe max $10 more per month, ....
It will be $10 more per month if your current setup is a 400 gal, or you have a fusson reactor in your basement. I guess it is from someone who is either the seller or someone who knows your current setup.
with just pump and light, you are using about 10 kW*hr per day. With heater/chiller and skimmer pump, you are looking at about 15-20kW* hr per day. With my electricity rate (So. Cal. ~15 cent per kW*hr I think...), you will be looking at $45 to $100 per month.
FO usually cost less in electricity than full reef.
GT's tank uses a ton more wattage than you'll probably use.
It should be a simple equation: Figure out the wattage of every electrical device. Things like pumps will be on 24 hrs a day, so multiply the total pump wattage by 24, then by 30 (days in a month). Things like lights, that are usually on half a day, multiply wattage by 12 (hours), then by 30. Add them all up, and you will get you a total of kilowatt hours used by your tank. In CA, I think a kW/h costs 13 cents or so. Check your electric bill. My 30 gallon costs around $18 a month, and a large portion of the power consumption is lighting. It sounds like you plan on using standard flourescents, so your bill shouldn't be too bad. HTH, Matt
It should be a simple equation: Figure out the wattage of every electrical device. Things like pumps will be on 24 hrs a day, so multiply the total pump wattage by 24, then by 30 (days in a month). Things like lights, that are usually on half a day, multiply wattage by 12 (hours), then by 30. Add them all up, and you will get you a total of kilowatt hours used by your tank. In CA, I think a kW/h costs 13 cents or so. Check your electric bill. My 30 gallon costs around $18 a month, and a large portion of the power consumption is lighting. It sounds like you plan on using standard flourescents, so your bill shouldn't be too bad. HTH, Matt
I believe the Iwaki 100 all by itself is going to be more than you would have guessed. If I recall correctly it uses 374 watts. Running 24/7 this would cost you $21.55 per month at 8 cents per kwh which is the national average. Your lighting you are planning on won't cost much in electricity, so you are probably looking at $30 to $40 per month depending on everything else you are running.
My 415 reef runs me $75 per month at 7 cents per kwh, but I'm running 2 Ampmaster 3000's and a Sequence 6000 and 4X400W MH + 760W VHO for lighting. My heater hardly ever runs and I run about 10 fans on a temperature controller.
FWIW, Nathan
My 415 reef runs me $75 per month at 7 cents per kwh, but I'm running 2 Ampmaster 3000's and a Sequence 6000 and 4X400W MH + 760W VHO for lighting. My heater hardly ever runs and I run about 10 fans on a temperature controller.
FWIW, Nathan
Mine runs about $150 a month .. I have 2 tanks with approx 1000W between tham with 3 pumps. One thing to keep in mind is that when you go over your baseline( what the power company determines is you average for the year) they charge you a higher rate. just my 2c :?
npaden":2t2pn4em said:I believe the Iwaki 100 all by itself is going to be more than you would have guessed. If I recall correctly it uses 374 watts. Running 24/7 this would cost you $21.55 per month at 8 cents per kwh which is the national average. Your lighting you are planning on won't cost much in electricity, so you are probably looking at $30 to $40 per month depending on everything else you are running.
My 415 reef runs me $75 per month at 7 cents per kwh, but I'm running 2 Ampmaster 3000's and a Sequence 6000 and 4X400W MH + 760W VHO for lighting. My heater hardly ever runs and I run about 10 fans on a temperature controller.
FWIW, Nathan
I wish I paid 7c kwh! My 180 will cost upwards of $150 per month once I install new MH lighting. We lucky chaps in CA pay between 18-24 cents per kwh.
I would go check out the calculator link above. It should give you a pretty good idea of how much your tank will cost per month.
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