Monthly electricity usage

[mtdaly85]

Hello all,

Wanted to see if any of you have done a calculation with respect to how much power your tank is consuming every month. At a high level, I'm currently at:

Lights (2x Hydra 52DH): 30 Watts during ramp cycle / nightlighting (7 hours), 75 watts during day light (5 hours)
Heater (300w): 300 watts on for an average of 7 hours per day (per my Apex)
Return pump, skimmer, ATO, DOS system: 90 watts at 24 hours per day
Powerheads (2x MP40wQD): 25 watts on for 24 hours per day

I'm at 6,630 watts used per day (or 6.6 kWh per day). At $0.23 per kWh, that puts me at roughly $557 per year just to keep the tank running!

Anyone else ever do the math?

 

[Auquanut]

I have too many tanks to worry about it. If I did the math, I'd probably have a stroke. Best not to know.

 

[Angrywalnut]

I always tell people when they ask 30 to 50 a month depending on time of year. My apex indicates 10 to 20 a month.
Without lighting factored in or Powerheads. Currently around .11c per KW.

 

[Zos4me]

I agree I do it because it keeps me sane I don't care what it costs it is worth it to me

 

[GThompson]

I have to agree with Auquanut, with what I have in tanks, equipment,and livestock, who’s looking at power consumption. Lol

 

[AZMSGT]

That’s like adding up everything you buy for the hobby... don’t do it. I for one don’t care. If it makes me happy it’s worth it.

 

[EmdeReef]

I was curious for a while. Plugged one of my hydras to a kill a watt for 24hrs, ~1kW x 5... at 25+ cents a kW I decided to stop being curious.

 

[andrewkw]

A good chunk of my bill is the delivery charge to get electricity to me so I don't sweat it. $50 a month or even $100 may seem like a lot but what other entertainment / enjoyment could you get for that, that would even come close to the satisfaction of your reef(s)?

 

[Angrywalnut]

I think its more about being efficient. I like to know so I can gauge if there are improvements that can be made.
That not only saves a few bucks but keeps me from putting my hands in the tank!

 

[Flippers4pups]

Our electricity usage statement put us above everyone around us! It's almost funny to look at the graph on the statement. It's just a bill! Lol

 

[vetteguy53081]

I don't pay attention especially with A/C unit on auto. I do know this past bill I just received was " Whoa" but no price for my tanks and for comfort

 

[Mical]

I don't pay attention especially with A/C unit on auto. I do know this past bill I just received was " Whoa" but no price for my tanks and for comfort

With your 660 alone you could heat the town of Sheboygan...

 

[vetteguy53081]

With your 660 alone you could heat the town of Sheboygan...

No kidding. that is the tank im sure with that hammerhead pump that impacts my bill. the 93 is loaded up too with components.

 

[saltyhog]

Hello all,

Wanted to see if any of you have done a calculation with respect to how much power your tank is consuming every month. At a high level, I'm currently at:

Lights (2x Hydra 52DH): 30 Watts during ramp cycle / nightlighting (7 hours), 75 watts during day light (5 hours)
Heater (300w): 300 watts on for an average of 7 hours per day (per my Apex)
Return pump, skimmer, ATO, DOS system: 90 watts at 24 hours per day
Powerheads (2x MP40wQD): 25 watts on for 24 hours per day

I'm at 6,630 watts used per day (or 6.6 kWh per day). At $0.23 per kWh, that puts me at roughly $557 per year just to keep the tank running!

Anyone else ever do the math?

I'll play but it will break your heart.....our electricity is $0.06/kWH.

Lights.....3 Hydra52 at 108 watts for 10 hours a day........3.1 kWH/day

Heaters....2 x 300 watt for 12 hours a day.........................3.6 kWH/day

Vectra return 60% .................................................................1.4 kWH/day

MP40 x2 at 80%.......................................................................1.46 kWH/day

MP10x2 at 75%.........................................................................0.65 kWH/day

10.21 kWH/day, 306.3 kWH/ month.............$20.52/ month.....$246.27 per year.

 

[Mical]

Personally I don't care what the cost - as long as pets, corals are happy = Life is good! End of story...

 

[somethinq else]

If I have to pinch pen ties and worry about my electric bill then I'm in the wrong hobby. I have a 400 fully decked out with every Neptune controller, probe, and pump, 5 gen 4 xr 30 pros and a chiller ...a 300 gallon with a basic set up and a red sea 350 xxl that's set up moderately ok. My electric bill runs on average of about 665.00 a month. I guess if you enjoy yourself and it relaxes you then in the end it's worth it.

 

[madweazl]

Our 75g uses 300w with the lights on and just under 600w with the heaters on. I've never bothered to average it out for an estimate. It's a lot cheaper than my A/C.

 

[slgcmg]

I had someone tell me one time that if I’m worried about electricity costs, this wasn’t the hobby for me.

It’s why people who drive F350’s don’t worry about cost of gas.

 

[Saveafish]

I might be hated for this. If your loved one was on life support, would you worry what the electric bill was? Or tell the hospital to save power?

 

[Sailingeric]

I have not tracked mine but since all the bulbs in my house are LED I know my overall power usage is still less than what just the can lights in my kitchen would have been if they were still incandescent bulbs