my heaters are killing me!

[805reef]

I have 3 300 watt heaters that come on for about 2 hours and then off for about 2 1/2 hours and back on for 2 hours. They are killing me on energy usage. My tank is 80x36 and pretty open on top and my sump is 60x24 and also open.

Do you guys think I would save a lot of energy if I put acrylic sheets over both the tank and sump? It's the only thing I can think of to keep the heat it?

 

[solitude127]

Run MHs. I think the acrylic will definitely help. Maybe wrap your sump in foam insulation?

 

[dattack]

acrylic will warp. Probably have to use polycarbonate.

 

[805reef]

Run MHs. I think the acrylic will definitely help. Maybe wrap your sump in foam insulation?

hmmm I didn't think of wrapping the sump, good idea. I'll see what I can do about that also. thanks!

 

[reefes pieces]

what temp do you keep your house at and what temp do you keep your tank at? My heaters rarely turn on. Also, I try to keep my tank temp close to ambient temp.

 

[805reef]

what temp do you keep your house at and what temp do you keep your tank at? My heaters rarely turn on. Also, I try to keep my tank temp close to ambient temp.

We don't have ac and we very rarely use the heater, so the house is at whatever temp the weather sets it to. I keep my tank between 77 and 77.9.

 

[805reef]

acrylic will warp. Probably have to use polycarbonate.

This was a concern of mine also. Do you think it will warp even with led's? I have 4 t247's and keep them at 35-40%

 

[reefes pieces]

Gotcha. so does your heater kick in at 77? I keep my tank between 76-77 in the winter season. and 78-79 in summer months. I think even one degree in the tank can make a big difference on the elec bill

We don't have ac and we very rarely use the heater, so the house is at whatever temp the weather sets it to. I keep my tank between 77 and 77.9.

 

[805reef]

Gotcha. so does your heater kick in at 77? I keep my tank between 76-77 in the winter season. and 78-79 in summer months. I think even one degree in the tank can make a big difference on the elec bill

Yes, heater kicks in at 77. It used to be 78 but I lowered it a while back. I'll lower it again but wasn't sure how low to go. lol

 

[solitude127]

Yes, heater kicks in at 77. It used to be 78 but I lowered it a while back. I'll lower it again but wasn't sure how low to go. lol

I've keep my tank at 76 with no issues but it doesn't give you much leeway if the power goes out or something happens to where you can heat your tank.

 

[LesPaulPlayer73]

I've keep my tank at 76 with no issues but it doesn't give you much leeway if the power goes out or something happens to where you can heat your tank.

What temp do you run during the summer?

 

[solitude127]

What temp do you run during the summer?

79...

 

[805reef]

Ok, so I just lowered it to 76-76.9. I will pick up some polycarbonate sheets from lowes to cover the top and wrap the sump in reflectix.

 

[dattack]

This was a concern of mine also. Do you think it will warp even with led's? I have 4 t247's and keep them at 35-40%

Yes. Even without lights, it will warp because acrylic absorbs water. Might also consider a glass top if you worried about some heat loss although glass doesn't insulate that well.

 

[ERIC1975]

I don't think keeping an acrylic sheet on top of the tank will do much beside causing condensation and reduce light tranmisssion.
I have a full 300 gal sps system and I keep it at 76 in winter and 80 in summer. Right now my heater is not even on yet since the house temp only drop to 72 at night and the tank temp still hover at 76.

 

[lowbudget]

your tank is in the house?

 

[805reef]

Yes. Even without lights, it will warp because acrylic absorbs water. Might also consider a glass top if you worried about some heat loss although glass doesn't insulate that well.

Lowes has polycarbonate sheets, so I will pick up some of that instead. Thanks for the tip.

I don't think keeping an acrylic sheet on top of the tank will do much beside causing condensation and reduce light tranmisssion.
I have a full 300 gal sps system and I keep it at 76 in winter and 80 in summer. Right now my heater is not even on yet since the house temp only drop to 72 at night and the tank temp still hover at 76.

I figured since heat rises a top would keep the heat from escaping. I read that people don't like lids because it keeps the heat in and can overheat the tank, so in the summer I could take it off. I need to start monitoring ambient air temp and maybe that data could help me out.

your tank is in the house?

Should it be?

 

[All Delight]

I even let my tanks get down to 75.5. One of my tanks that is in the garage doesn't run a heater or chiller (no sps). Since it has been cold I checked the temp this morning and that tank was 72.5. I think I will hook up a heater to that. I'm not comfortable having it under 74.

 

[reefes pieces]

well a big reason why lids aren't so good is that it blocks a decent percentage of lighting as well.

 

[805reef]

well a big reason why lids aren't so good is that it blocks a decent percentage of lighting as well.

right now I don't care about lighting... im pretty much FOWLR right now. but that is something to keep in mind. I think I might just try insulating the sump and putting covers on it and leaving the DT open and see how that goes.