Solar Power Reef Tank

[JoeyDiesel]

Thought I'd share my solar set up for my reef tank. It was originally a DIY back-up for 2x MP40s and a Vectra S2.
Since the trickle charger stopped working I started playing with small 100w solar panels to charge the battery.
I've now expanded the solar and battery storage to 900w / 440ah. It now powers all my lighting, heating and flow*.
*I do have an apex running on mains with an icecap gyre on constant and a back up heater and cooling fan.

 

[flyline]

That’s awesome can you tell us about the equipment you used

 

[Phildago]

Excellent. I've always wanted to work on this. I plan to have mine solar powered within 2 years

 

[JoeyDiesel]

That’s awesome can you tell us about the equipment you used

Sure, I've got 2x 350w solar panels on the roof which go through a charge controller then 4x deep cycle leisure batteries.
I've got a 1000w inverter which converts the 12v DC battery power into 110/240 AC power. I can fully charge the batteries whilst powering everything during the day (providing it's sunny)

 

[Huynh]

What type of power are you drawing on the equipment and how long does the battery back up last?

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

Thought I'd share my solar set up for my reef tank. It was originally a DIY back-up for 2x MP40s and a Vectra S2.
Since the trickle charger stopped working I started playing with small 100w solar panels to charge the battery.
I've now expanded the solar and battery storage to 900w / 440ah. It now powers all my lighting, heating and flow*.
*I do have an apex running on mains with an icecap gyre on constant and a back up heater and cooling fan.

the inverter is one piece of the puzzle that consumes a lot of current and so I've been planning to convert over but everything would be dc-powered, when I mean everything I mean pumps, wave pumps, chiller, Etc

 

[jda]

That is pretty cool. We have a 7.5 kWh array here, but it does more than the tanks. I am in Colorado and we get lots of sun and it makes sense and the money works out in 5-6 years with the tax stuff and output. I purchased the array since there is no way that I can justify the power needed for my tanks nor my hot tub and it makes me feel better. I have looked into batteries and could not even keep enough to keep my tanks running for even 15-20 minutes, so they just have to go without until I get a generator running.

Well done.

 

[LoneStarReef]

Very cool. Been wondering about doing that myself. Any chance can you give us an approximate cost of your setup? If not, totally understand.

 

[Pale_Rider]

I’ve got a 23kW system and Tesla powerwalls running my house. Don’t have to worry about power failures lol

 

[robbyg]

What type of power are you drawing on the equipment and how long does the battery back up last?

Nice setup, I am also wondering what amount of power is it drawing and how long does the battery last.

 

[KenO]

I have a 13.88 kW Solar Power system on my roof. I not only power my aquariums, but my entire house.

 

[Shaun Sweeney]

I use solar evacuated tubes to heat my 400+ gallon system. I use my Apex system to open electric valves when heat is called for. A pump in my solar reservoir pumps water thru a stainless (couldn't find titanium) heat exchange unit. My electric heaters are just backup.

 

[Phildago]

I'm taking notes here lol

 

[robbyg]

I am using some solar but have resisted going the battery route because the lifespan of the batteries vs cost to replace them have made me wary of going that route. I think when solid state batteries finally hit the market and the price on them drops I will go full solar.

 

[Scurvy]

@telegraham has done some solar conversions to his systems and would enjoy this discussion.

 

[Jenuvio]

Thought I'd share my solar set up for my reef tank. It was originally a DIY back-up for 2x MP40s and a Vectra S2.
Since the trickle charger stopped working I started playing with small 100w solar panels to charge the battery.
I've now expanded the solar and battery storage to 900w / 440ah. It now powers all my lighting, heating and flow*.
*I do have an apex running on mains with an icecap gyre on constant and a back up heater and cooling fan.

Perfect setup!
Exactly what I am working on.

I see you have the batteries in parallel have you tried then in series? Currently have one battery in my setup and was curious.
Thanks for sharing!

 

[reefpatrique]

This is awesome @JoeyDiesel . Care to share budget breakdown for the upfit? This is an aspiration, I just want to know if it's an attainable one

 

[MikeYasin]

We went with a 12kwh system and a pair of Tesla Powerwalls. NorCal here and PG&E loves to shut the power down when temps rise and winds pick up. Sometimes for days at a time.

 

[ShepherdReefer]

Thought I'd share my solar set up for my reef tank. It was originally a DIY back-up for 2x MP40s and a Vectra S2.
Since the trickle charger stopped working I started playing with small 100w solar panels to charge the battery.
I've now expanded the solar and battery storage to 900w / 440ah. It now powers all my lighting, heating and flow*.
*I do have an apex running on mains with an icecap gyre on constant and a back up heater and cooling fan.

super cool!

 

[MikeYasin]

I have a 13.88 kW Solar Power system on my roof. I not only power my aquariums, but my entire house.

Now that's a compund!