Cost To run My tank

[MSB123]

I've been asked to calculate how much it costs to run my tank. I suck at doing these things. Can someone help me figure it out?
60 Gallon Tank
300W of lighting- 10 Hrs a day
200W heater- keeping it at 78 degrees
120W Return Pump
Average ambient temp- 74 degrees
Thanks in advance!
kWh cost- 15 cents

 

[Alfrareef]

There's something I've never did and never will... sorry, can't help.

 

[Oceanwave45]

It's very easy Math I am sure you can do it - hint write down the wattage of each item go to your electric company's website and there should be an energy calculator it will tell you how much item cost by the day and just add from there

 

[DarkSky]

I've been asked to calculate how much it costs to run my tank. I suck at doing these things. Can someone help me figure it out?
60 Gallon Tank
300W of lighting- 10 Hrs a day
200W heater- keeping it at 78 degrees
120W Return Pump
Average ambient temp- 74 degrees
Thanks in advance!
kWh cost- 15 cents

Lighting = $0.45 cents/day.
Heater = $0.00 to $0.72 cents/day (depends how often it is on).
Return Pump = $0.43 cents/day

 

[knowen87]

I imagine that there is a way to determine the estimated heater usage but I dont think it is necessary. Here is the basic idea though
300w*10hrs /1000 *0.15 = $0.45
120w*24hrs/1000*0.15 =$0.43
Heater 1/4 time = 200w*6hrs/1000*0.15 = $0.18
We can assume that 1/4 time would be the max that your heater is on

So I would say that it probably costs $0.88-$1.06 per day.

Edit- took too long looks like someone beat me to it

 

[MSB123]

I imagine that there is a way to determine the estimated heater usage but I dont think it is necessary. Here is the basic idea though
300w*10hrs /1000 *0.15 = $0.45
120w*24hrs/1000*0.15 =$0.43
Heater 1/4 time = 200w*6hrs/1000*0.15 = $0.18
We can assume that 1/4 time would be the max that your heater is on

So I would say that it probably costs $0.88-$1.06 per day.

Edit- took too long looks like someone beat me to it

Thanks so much! This really helps

 

[reefwiser]

How much money do you have. [emoji23]
One could calculate electric. But nature has its own mind and things are very fluid and you will change directions many times

 

[MSB123]

How much money do you have. [emoji23]
One could calculate electric. But nature has its own mind and things are very fluid and you will change directions many times

What does that mean?...

 

[SashimiTurtle]

$0.15/KWH?? That's robbery! I pay only $0.10/KWH up to 800KWs after that it's $0.08/KWH.

Total cost will be determined by your electricity rate. Are you also factoring in cost of water evaporation, water for mixing salt, salt itself?

 

[Ranjib]

Get one of this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003WV5DBU/
This will only calculate the electricity related cost, you have to add water/salt/food/filter media and all other additive costs

 

[MSB123]

Get one of this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003WV5DBU/
This will only calculate the electricity related cost, you have to add water/salt/food/filter media and all other additive costs

I've already done the dosing and food costs, and I get my water free

 

[Amoo]

I don't know if you're doing this for a paper or presentation or just a general curiosity type of thing but if it's for something academic, it's worth mentioning something to the effect of:

Due to the transfer of radiant heat from a 60G tank at 78F to a house cooled/heated to 74F there would be a minor effect on a/c costs, but those are relatively negligible in a "X" square footage home. (The English version is your A/C has to work a little bit harder because your tank is constantly at 78F, and your heaters have to work a little bit harder because your home is 74F, but the higher level maths would tell you it's relatively negligible when you start talking about radiant heat from windows/attic/doors....etc)

Also don't forget about power usage of any power heads.

 

[DSmithZ28]

This is what I figured mine to be. I wasn't sure about running a reefkeeper however. Couldn't find anything on its wattage draw per hour so I guessed.

 

[pelphrey]

Belkin Conserve Insight Energy Use Monitor - http://amzn.to/2wo4CWn

 

[MSB123]

I don't know if you're doing this for a paper or presentation or just a general curiosity type of thing but if it's for something academic, it's worth mentioning something to the effect of:

Due to the transfer of radiant heat from a 60G tank at 78F to a house cooled/heated to 74F there would be a minor effect on a/c costs, but those are relatively negligible in a "X" square footage home. (The English version is your A/C has to work a little bit harder because your tank is constantly at 78F, and your heaters have to work a little bit harder because your home is 74F, but the higher level maths would tell you it's relatively negligible when you start talking about radiant heat from windows/attic/doors....etc)

Also don't forget about power usage of any power heads.

I use the drain from the tank to power a small hydroelectric generator to power my powerheads- its really a great way to do it
Also, I have my tank in a very insulated room so the entire room ends up at 78F and as long as i keep the doors closed, its pretty efficient

 

[BantyRooster97]

sky's the limit!

 

[2Wheelsonly]

I've been asked to calculate how much it costs to run my tank. I suck at doing these things. Can someone help me figure it out?
60 Gallon Tank
300W of lighting- 10 Hrs a day
200W heater- keeping it at 78 degrees
120W Return Pump
Average ambient temp- 74 degrees
Thanks in advance!
kWh cost- 15 cents

A couple of things...

The heater will fluctuate in price as it will shut off when a certain temp is reached (even more accuracy if you're using a controller/probe to monitor). Your lights will help heat the water too so the heater may run less often. My heaters mainly run at night when lights are off and spend most of the day "off" according to my apex.

Are you just concerned about electricity? I am sure you know this but water and salt will most likely be your #1 monthly expense and potentially double/triple what you pay in electric.

On my tank I calculate my electricity to $45 monthly
My salt/water is $110 monthly ($40 water, $70 salt)
Supplements/Tests/Food: $120 monthly

Electricity is the cheap part

 

[MSB123]

A couple of things...

The heater will fluctuate in price as it will shut off when a certain temp is reached (even more accuracy if you're using a controller/probe to monitor). Your lights will help heat the water too so the heater may run less often. My heaters mainly run at night when lights are off and spend most of the day "off" according to my apex.

Are you just concerned about electricity? I am sure you know this but water and salt will most likely be your #1 monthly expense and potentially double/triple what you pay in electric.

On my tank I calculate my electricity to $45 monthly
My salt/water is $110 monthly ($40 water, $70 salt)
Supplements/Tests/Food: $120 monthly

Electricity is the cheap part

I get my saltwater free from the university in town. I also get free water tests so I don't pay for a kit. My expenses are food and supplements. In reality, electricity is the most expensive for me!

 

[MSB123]

Also, what are you paying 40$ for water for? What size tank is that?

 

[Paul B]

I figured out mine a few years ago and it was $960.00 a year for my 100 gallon tank and my lighting is LEDs and about half of what you have for lighting. That included foods and water changes which I rarely do.