I've never seen an electric bill this large
- Thread starter Len
- Start date
I took it down and sold/give away everything. Time wise, I got to choose between my large tank or my my three boys (8,7, and 4 months) and the boys won. I am setting up (drawing board) a much smaller cube tank for S. gigantea, A. percula, a few SPS and smaller clams.
I know how you feel--my electrical bills are daunting in the summer.
I've kept my aquarium (800 gallon) electrical usage pretty modest in the summer by doing the following:
Keep the house at 75
Keep the aquarium at 82
The canopy has air brought in from the outside and vented back to the outside
The chiller is water-cooled, so it doesn't transfer heat back into the house--the heat just goes down the drain.
I'd check the heat dissipation coils on your chiller--if they're dirty or clogged you'll be much less efficient. Also, you may want to set your temp higher--Mine is at 82 and I can tell you all my corals and critters are doing fine. Finally, run hot lights less or shift more towards the night when then ambient temperature is lower.
Hope this helps!
I've kept my aquarium (800 gallon) electrical usage pretty modest in the summer by doing the following:
Keep the house at 75
Keep the aquarium at 82
The canopy has air brought in from the outside and vented back to the outside
The chiller is water-cooled, so it doesn't transfer heat back into the house--the heat just goes down the drain.
I'd check the heat dissipation coils on your chiller--if they're dirty or clogged you'll be much less efficient. Also, you may want to set your temp higher--Mine is at 82 and I can tell you all my corals and critters are doing fine. Finally, run hot lights less or shift more towards the night when then ambient temperature is lower.
Hope this helps!
My chiller is plumbed outdoors. I'll check to make sure it is clean. I've got my tank's temp at 82.5-83 now, and my halides run for no more then 6 hours. I might shorten that even more.
FWIW, the local newscaster was publically complaining about his electric bill of $1,100 8O
FWIW, the local newscaster was publically complaining about his electric bill of $1,100 8O
I only turn on my AC in the month of July for two evening in July. One for 2 hours, and the other for about 3 hours.
But then, the MH was on for only a fraction of its usually photo period, due to the flooring installation under the tank. The chiller was not on for the same reason. I lost a nice encrusting Monti colony, a candycane shrimp, two run-off-mill Acrops, a mill, and all my Athias and a fire shrimp are missing. Everything else (clams, LPS, etc.) are fine.
But then, the MH was on for only a fraction of its usually photo period, due to the flooring installation under the tank. The chiller was not on for the same reason. I lost a nice encrusting Monti colony, a candycane shrimp, two run-off-mill Acrops, a mill, and all my Athias and a fire shrimp are missing.
Everything else (clams, LPS, etc.) are fine.Yep, my chiller pipes are double insulated, first buy a snug 1 1/2" thick insulating foam tube, then double wrapped with insulation sheets. I also built a canopy to shield most of the chiller from the elements (sun, rain, etc.)
The weather is finally cool now on the West Coast. You guys on the East Coast are getting it bad.
The weather is finally cool now on the West Coast. You guys on the East Coast are getting it bad.
I did everything to lower the heat from my tank. I use huge fans to help in evaporation. My top off want is about 10 g per day. I use three Ampmaster pumps but put them in a cabinet remote from the tank. I also have MH ballast in cabinet remote from the tank. My chiller is outside, I plumb the water outside and burry it 1.5 feet deep to keep it cool and keep the yardman from damage it. Last year my electric bill for the tank was about 300-350 per month. I hate to think what it would be this summer.
Hmm...well after doing huge reefs, and nano reefs...I'm sold on nanos, and the lower power bill is just one of the best benefits. Lisa would have an anxiety attack if a hobby of mine stressed our finances to such a degree. I've been there before, and made the decision that I'm done doing this to myself.
I have more large tanks planned, but they will be fish only or freshwater unless I get to a point where a $400 power bill is pocket change to me... :?
Also, living in the Pacific Northwest now means I'm not as prone to heat issues. 8)
Jim
I have more large tanks planned, but they will be fish only or freshwater unless I get to a point where a $400 power bill is pocket change to me... :?
Also, living in the Pacific Northwest now means I'm not as prone to heat issues. 8)
Jim
I have a 1200 sq ft condo and running 1500 watts of halides plus pumps , skimmers etc plus keeping house at 76 for the dog my bill has been about 175 / month this summer. I know we are spoiled here in Texas with utility prices compared to LA but sheesh.
Try a better / more efficient AC? I went from a 8 seer? to a 13 seer and it dropped my bills in the summer about 50/month - will only take like 10 years to make up what I paid for it too!
Try a better / more efficient AC? I went from a 8 seer? to a 13 seer and it dropped my bills in the summer about 50/month - will only take like 10 years to make up what I paid for it too!
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