How much $$$ does your tank cost you every month in energy bills?

xthunderx

xthunderx

Premium Member
Supporter
#1
Joined
Mar 1, 2011
Messages
1,233
Likes
15
Points
0
Location
Los Angeles
#1
As I'm planning out my build I'm doing some calculations, some of the fun parts:

1. 3 x 400w MH
2. 2 x Radion Pros
3. Water Blaster 10,000 for Return
4. Red Dragon for my BK skimmer pump
5. MP60's x 2

Some basic calculations gives me the total Kwh usage per month around 400 to 450KWh at $0.32 a kilowatt from wonderful SCE.

Total cost: $125 to $144 per month.

What does your tank cost you to run?

PS. I have multiple tanks, this cost is just for my main tank. I think it's time to go Solar.
 
solitude127

solitude127

Instant Ocean User
Supporter
Featured Reef
2020 POTM
#5
Joined
Apr 13, 2010
Messages
7,001
Likes
51
Points
48
Location
Torrance
#5
when I took my tank down, I went from ~$140 down to $80. Winter usually runs more because of the heaters.
 
Last edited:
X

xmas_one

New member
#6
Joined
Dec 16, 2013
Messages
2,557
Likes
14
Points
0
Location
long beach
#6
My apex is telling me I'm averaging a 1.0 amp draw which calcs out to 110w - 110wx24x60=158kWh. At tier 2 (19 cents) that's $30.

250w MH
MP10
MP40
300W heater
Sicce 2.0 return
Sicce 2.0 skimmer
Target clip-on fan
 
JDEllis

JDEllis

Owner @ Ellis Aquatics
Supporter
#9
Joined
Oct 31, 2012
Messages
3,280
Likes
35
Points
48
Location
Compton, CA 90222
#9
5 systems and about 1015 gallons total volume

Summer: $445-515 (depending how hot)
Winter: $910-1040 (depending how cold) (3900w just in heaters running)
 
Six2seven

Six2seven

Premium Member
Supporter
#10
Joined
Dec 27, 2011
Messages
8,473
Likes
24
Points
38
Location
San Pedro, CA
#10
stopped calculating long ago. I tried calculating the electricity once and then started adding the cost of corals fish and salt. even at 1 frag a month, box of salt every other and cost of supplements, the cost rises quick.

reoccurring costs:
corals
salt
electricity
supplements
co2
arm media
 
xthunderx

xthunderx

Premium Member
Supporter
#13
Joined
Mar 1, 2011
Messages
1,233
Likes
15
Points
0
Location
Los Angeles
#13
lowbudget said:
whole house include a tank in the garage 150$
Click to expand...
That's not too bad, did you take into account the server farm?

solitude127 said:
when I took my tank down, I went from ~$140 down to $80. Winter usually runs more because of the heaters.
Click to expand...
$60 bucks ain't bad at all. Beauty of T5's.

xmas_one said:
My apex is telling me I'm averaging a 1.0 amp draw which calcs out to 110w - 110wx24x60=158kWh. At tier 2 (19 cents) that's $30.

250w MH
MP10
MP40
300W heater
Sicce 2.0 return
Sicce 2.0 skimmer
Target clip-on fan
Click to expand...
Nice, very reasonable.

solitude127 said:
Don't forget the A/C you're adding.
Click to expand...
That's true, I'm hoping the new A/C will actually drop my bill by running the central air only on 100+ degree days and the mini split the rest of the time.

Jetsetter57 said:
Sent you a pm.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info, I will check them out. Solar City quoted me at $35,000 for a 7Kw system.

JDEllis said:
5 systems and about 1015 gallons total volume

Summer: $445-515 (depending how hot)
Winter: $910-1040 (depending how cold) (3900w just in heaters running)
Click to expand...
You ever consider getting a gas furnace for the winter?

Six2seven said:
stopped calculating long ago. I tried calculating the electricity once and then started adding the cost of corals fish and salt. even at 1 frag a month, box of salt every other and cost of supplements, the cost rises quick.

reoccurring costs:
corals
salt
electricity
supplements
co2
arm media
Click to expand...
I feel your pain. I like to know to remind myself how crazy I really am about this hobby.

Zoarder said:
I do not want to know. Just electric on 4 tanks is about $250...
Click to expand...
I feel you, I'm in a very similar boat. I'm hoping to break down two tanks once my main tank is up and running. We'll see.
 
lowbudget

lowbudget

Premium Member
Supporter
#14
Joined
Nov 26, 2007
Messages
22,203
Likes
88
Points
48
Location
los angeles
#14
xthunderx said:
That's not too bad, did you take into account the server farm?
Click to expand...
my server farm is off the grid. you hush hush you know we have cops in heeer dang bitcoins took a dive not worth the trouble anymore anyone want to buy mining machines
 
xthunderx

xthunderx

Premium Member
Supporter
#15
Joined
Mar 1, 2011
Messages
1,233
Likes
15
Points
0
Location
Los Angeles
#15
I don't think we'll ever see bitcoin at $1,000, so sad...I still remember the days when my CPU would make a coin a day. GPU's were flying and ASICs were a thing of fantasy. Ahhhh, the good ol' days.
 
xthunderx

xthunderx

Premium Member
Supporter
#16
Joined
Mar 1, 2011
Messages
1,233
Likes
15
Points
0
Location
Los Angeles
#16
So add another $60 for my 100g cube and $10 for my 30g nano a month in electricity

Total bill:
$125
$ 60
$ 10
-------
$195 on fish tank energy only (that doesn't include all my other electric use).
 
pciscott

pciscott

Member
#17
Joined
Feb 9, 2010
Messages
527
Likes
19
Points
18
#17
I just added up my 24/7 aquarium stuff and came up with $270 per month at .32 per kw buried in tier 4! Does not include lights, chillers, or heaters. Ouch!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Top