How can I reduce tank energy usage?

Phyber · Mar 8, 2020

I'm doing an energy audit around the house as I'm trying to make some changes to get my bill lower. I've been using a Kill-a-watt on an outlet for 24 hours to get an idea of current wattage used and an overall kwh used.

I had no idea my simple tank was taking up this much power... What are some ideas I can do to reduce my usage? The ambient temp is HVAC controlled between 66*F-68*F.

I used up 6kwh in 24 hours with this equipment:

65g display tank, 20g sump
Sicce 3 return pump
Ecotech MP40 on reef Crest at ~75%
Apex Classic, and one EB8, one DOS
Reef Octopus Classic Int-110 skimmer
Tunze ATO
(2) AI Prime HD's, running AB+, on a ramp up/down from 9a - 9p
(4) 39w t5 bulbs, ATI Blue+ (technically in an AquaticLife Hybrid fixture) running from Noon-6p
(1) 150w, and (1) 100w heater. Set on at 77.8 and off at 78. Apex logs say they both came on about 15 times over the 24 hours, running about 1 to 1.5 hours each time.

I don't feel like I have enough elaborate equipment to use this much but I guess the numbers dont lie!

What can I try?

splitting_lanes · Mar 8, 2020

There’s not much you can do.

if you can run a cover on the tank, to reduce evaporation, that will reduce heating load.

Retro Reefer · Mar 8, 2020

I switched to all DC equipment and it help a lot with my power consumption, also my sump sits on a concrete slab (tile covered) and I found lots of heat escaping from that so I put sump on a insulated pad and I also try to keep it covered as much as possible to cut back on heat loss which has helped tremendously.. The only other thing is maybe you can cut back your primes to 8-10 hours which would help out a little.

vessxpress1 · Mar 8, 2020

6 kwh in a 24 hr period for a 65 gal display doesn't shock me at all. If you really want to cut back, go without the T-5s. That's 1/6th of of your kwhrs for the day. Really 6 is nothing. Even if you can shave it down it's going to be minimal. Think if you were running 250w or 400 w halides? I think your electrical usage is reasonable and the previous two tips were good.
I have a kill a watt meter too. It's a good thing to do what you're doing. I went around my house one time and tried everything on it. Seek out the phantom energy you're losing from stuff that's plugged in but not on. You'll be shocked. Some stuff draws 0 watts while other stuff still draws 25 watts or more whether on and in use or not. My biggest offenders were the direct tv receiver, computer in standby, the Keurig and my home theater sub. I keep it unplugged when not in use.
A lot of people complain about their electrical usage but few chase it down. It CAN be figured out. Usually peoples biggest problems are running an old fridge or freezer in basement or garage. I tell them if you're willing to keep one of those on line, even if it's only 15 to 20 years old, you may as well not waste any time looking anywhere else. A new fridge uses the same power as a 60 watt light bulb. A 20 year old fridge might use over 1k watts = 1 kwh every hour. I know people running 30 to 50 year old freezers. Yeah, real cool they still run.... enjoy the electric bill. And no I don't sell fridges. I just know that they've seen about the largest jump in energy savings (mandated by the government) other than tvs that most people will have in their home. Good luck.

tautog83 · Mar 8, 2020

What's does it calculate into your total bill ? My 200 gallon with 3 radions , 2 gyres 2 mp 40s , 2 heaters , etc etc raised my bill maybe $6 a month . So my suggestion would be to buy 1 less coffee a week at work lol
All jokes aside the small stuff that you can do might help a little but minus cutting off the vital stuff I dont think the savings would justify the work needed to make a difference

vessxpress1 · Mar 8, 2020

Our electric on a local coop runs about 0.13 a kwh these days. So if his 65 was running here:

6 kwh x 30 days= 180 x 0.13 per = $23.40/ month.

3 radions running 6 hrs a day would use up almost 3 kwh a day by themselves, fwiw. I'm sure there are many variables but I promise you your electric bill went up a lot more than $6 a month.

Phyber · Mar 8, 2020

vessxpress1 said:
Our electric on a local coop runs about 0.13 a kwh these days. So if his 65 was running here:

6 kwh x 30 days= 180 x 0.13 per = $23.40/ month.

3 radions running 6 hrs a day would use up almost 3 kwh a day by themselves, fwiw. I'm sure there are many variables but I promise you your electric bill went up a lot more than $6 a month.

Yes, I have the highest utility provider in the state at $0.14/kwh flats rate, no peak hours. I'm looking at ~$25/month just with the tank.

I think I'm shocked most at the Sicce; I manually was turning things on and off and it was highest at about 50 watts. Couldn't get the MP40 to come close.

Dr. Dendrostein · Mar 8, 2020

Phyber said:
I'm doing an energy audit around the house as I'm trying to make some changes to get my bill lower. I've been using a Kill-a-watt on an outlet for 24 hours to get an idea of current wattage used and an overall kwh used.

I had no idea my simple tank was taking up this much power... What are some ideas I can do to reduce my usage? The ambient temp is HVAC controlled between 66*F-68*F.

I used up 6kwh in 24 hours with this equipment:

65g display tank, 20g sump

Sicce 3 return pump

Ecotech MP40 on reef Crest at ~75%

Apex Classic, and one EB8, one DOS

Reef Octopus Classic Int-110 skimmer

Tunze ATO

(2) AI Prime HD's, running AB+, on a ramp up/down from 9a - 9p

(4) 39w t5 bulbs, ATI Blue+ (technically in an AquaticLife Hybrid fixture) running from Noon-6p

(1) 150w, and (1) 100w heater. Set on at 77.8 and off at 78. Apex logs say they both came on about 15 times over the 24 hours, running about 1 to 1.5 hours each time.

I don't feel like I have enough elaborate equipment to use this much but I guess the numbers dont lie!

What can I try?

Maybe you can wrap the aquarium with a sleeping bag at night, against cold weather save some energy. May have to wrap all the piping with insulation some type so you have very little heat loss or cold loss.

Joekovar · Mar 8, 2020

it looks like the big draw is the heaters fighting with your HVAC. That's a 10° difference.

250 watts running 15-21 hours a day.

I keep my HVAC at 75° and my little heater barely runs.

I'd say increasing the temperature of the air that comes in contact with water would be the most effective way to cut down on heater run time.

SPSReeferMI · Mar 8, 2020

Here are a few suggestions:
1.) Can you limit your photo period or intensity (and still keep everything healthy)?
2.) Limit evaporation (this was already suggested), but placing a cover on your tank or sump could make a noticeable impact. Do you know how often your heater is running today?
3.) Reduce pump speeds - you could shave a few watts with slightly lower pump speeds.
4.) Lower tank temperature to a safe temp (Example, 78 instead of 80).
5.) Run skimmer or other devices less and pick DC versions.

I’m not saying that these changes are great for optimal growth of coral, but that may not be your primary goal.

Phyber · Mar 8, 2020

Joekovar said:
it looks like the big draw is the heaters fighting with your HVAC. That's a 10° difference.

250 watts running 15-21 hours a day.

I keep my HVAC at 75° and my little heater barely runs.

I'd say increasing the temperature of the air that comes in contact with water would be the most effective way to cut down on heater run time.

I agree, however, I am lucky in that my wife requires a cool house vs warm. If our tstat hits 70 she's asking me what's wrong with the AC.

Joekovar · Mar 8, 2020

Phyber said:
I agree, however, I am lucky in that my wife requires a cool house vs warm. If our tstat hits 70 she's asking me what's wrong with the AC.

I hear ya.

Does any of your other equipment generate any heat?

I'm thinking if your lights fave fans, fashion some baffles to direct their exhaust to the surface of the tank.

What's the temp like down below? Again, maybe a low power computer fan ducting warmer air to the surface of the DT up the back.

I figure any heat generating equipment is battling your HVAC regardless. It may help the heaters to move that battle to the place your heaters are fighting the HVAC.

Phyber · Mar 8, 2020

Joekovar said:
I hear ya.

Does any of your other equipment generate any heat?

I'm thinking if your lights fave fans, fashion some baffles to direct their exhaust to the surface of the tank.

What's the temp like down below? Again, maybe a low power computer fan ducting warmer air to the surface of the DT up the back.

I figure any heat generating equipment is battling your HVAC regardless. It may help the heaters to move that battle to the place your heaters are fighting the HVAC.

My t5s get warm but there's no cooling system on them, and they're already about 6" above the tank already.

My temp readings are from my Apex probe which is already in the sump. Heaters in the return area of sump.

I may play with making kids for the sump or display, but I just don't want condensation issues and etc.

DCR · Mar 8, 2020

It is mostly in the heaters, and anything you do to reduce power consumption in other places like lighting and pumps is only going to transfer more load to the heaters. Reducing the evaporation with lids or raising you indoor temperatures is going to have the greatest impact.

Tuffloud1 · Dec 3, 2020

Phyber said:
Yes, I have the highest utility provider in the state at $0.14/kwh flats rate, no peak hours. I'm looking at ~$25/month just with the tank.

I think I'm shocked most at the Sicce; I manually was turning things on and off and it was highest at about 50 watts. Couldn't get the MP40 to come close.

.14 is the highest?!

I’m in California and pay .30 off peak and .40 peak!