The Cost Of Running A Tank

[peedee]

Just curious if anyone has paid much attention. How much, monthly, do you think the average cost of running a 100g with two 300w heaters keeping the temp around 27c and using an fx5. I'm mean just for electricity. We've been getting outrageous electric bills but since we've started the tank around Dec it's gotten out of control. We are thinking something is seriously wrong like getting charged for another house or something.
thanks
p

 

[diet]

Just curious if anyone has paid much attention. How much, monthly, do you think the average cost of running a 100g with two 300w heaters keeping the temp around 27c and using an fx5. I'm mean just for electricity. We've been getting outrageous electric bills but since we've started the tank around Dec it's gotten out of control. We are thinking something is seriously wrong like getting charged for another house or something.
thanks
p

What does ur utility company charge u per a kw or w of power??

just then do these sums

kw price = .3 x 24 (hrs) x 28 (4 weeks) = your monthly bill per each heater.

Add the two heaters together.

For the fx5 u need to find out the wattage of that too and then u can start to work out the cost.

Also what is the wattage of your pumps and filters etc?

 

[watkins101]

Just curious if anyone has paid much attention. How much, monthly, do you think the average cost of running a 100g with two 300w heaters keeping the temp around 27c and using an fx5. I'm mean just for electricity. We've been getting outrageous electric bills but since we've started the tank around Dec it's gotten out of control. We are thinking something is seriously wrong like getting charged for another house or something.
thanks
p

What does ur utility company charge u per a kw or w of power??

just then do these sums

kw price = .3 x 24 (hrs) x 28 (4 weeks) = your monthly bill per each heater.

Add the two heaters together.

For the fx5 u need to find out the wattage of that too and then u can start to work out the cost.

Also what is the wattage of your pumps and filters etc?

It’s not really that simple, it’s not likely that both your heaters will be on all the time the ambient temperature in the space your tank is kept in will really affect how often it cuts in as the tanks heat will try to dissipate into your room. I found that by dropping the tank temp down to 25deg I really cut down the amount of juice I used. As an aside I think the oxygen levels in your tank will also increase.

 

[darknirvana217]

How outrageous is it? The cost of running an aquarium should not be any where near the cost of running your neighbor's house. I have a 120 and a 150 with Eheim 2217s, 250 watt heater, and high output T-5 lighting system on each and non of it reaches an outrageous amount when it comes to electricty.

 

[Colin_T]

how cold is the room or house?

Is the tank covered? If not 6mm coverglass will reduce heat loss and lower the bill.

Try insulating the back and sides of the tank with 1/2inch polystyrene foam.

Turn the temp down to 24C.

If you don't have many plants in there decrease the lighting period.

Big tanks with warm water and bright lights will use power. Heaters and lights are the worst.

 

[peedee]

well i'm in the UK and lets say outrageous is around £500 for 3months. Convert that to USD and its around a grand. A two bedroom with two people....ya it's out of freaking control. I'll lower the temp a little ambient temp is around 75. Well be moving a few months to japan anyway i just can't believe the last electric bill. Tank is covered the fx5 runs about 48w/h
p

 

[Cooper2085]

THATS crazy mate!!!!!! I have a 120l with 200W heater 2 x Fluval 2's 1 x Fluval 3 and a Tetratec 120-200l pump with a light, AND a 1ft with lamp ( >.<) 50w Heater and Tetratec pump..... I pay £70 a month for gas AND electric.

2 Bed semi.

 

[Faythee]

Can you have a representative from the electric company come out to the house ? They do that for free here in the U.S. and can help find the problem. I wouldn't think that spike in charges could be from a fish tank.

 

[adamgreen240]

put your wattages etc into the table on the link below, put in the price you get charged for electric and it will tell you how much your aquarium will cost to run.

http/www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/...rical_costs.php

Adam

 

[Colin_T]

maybe someone is tapping into your power box.

I ran a fish room with a lot of tanks and lights and heaters and it only pushed the bill up a few hundred dollars. That sort of increase shouldn't happen with a couple of T5 and a heater or two.

 

[eriksgti]

maybe someone is tapping into your power box.

I have seen this done many times before.

It sounds like your paying for yourself and all of your neighbors!
I share a big 6 bedroom house with 5 other people and we pay $200 USD a month for Gas + Electric.

 

[darknirvana217]

well i'm in the UK and lets say outrageous is around £500 for 3months. Convert that to USD and its around a grand.

Just goes to show you the weakness of our economy right now. Geez.

 

[Tolak]

With all the gear I have running it averages about $60 more per month. Here's an interesting little gizmo that can be used on more than aquarium equipment; http/www.reuk.co.uk/Buy-UK-Power-Meter.htm

I'm not real sure how they run power to residential customers in the UK, here in the US it is generally a 240 line split into a pair of 120's the evenly distributed through breakers or fuses. If one half of the 240 feed is drawing substantially more than the other this can jack the rates. Unless you are experienced with residential electric work this is something you want to leave to someone more experienced.

 

[littlest]

Might be worth noting that most of the energy compares have increased electricity rates from January 2008. All double-digit increase, generally around 14%-17% I think. Even taking that into account it does sound ridiculously high.

Most energy companies will take an average of the street or small area and divide it by the number of houses (I think they do take into account how big the houses are). If your neighbours suddenly use loads more electricity your bill can increase.

It should say on your bill what the estimated usage is. Go to your electricity meter and compare it. If you meter is lower, phone the company and ask them to come and check your meter. The next bill will then be based on your actual usage (they may even compensate for the last bill, not sure).

 

[kj23502]

put your wattages etc into the table on the link below, put in the price you get charged for electric and it will tell you how much your aquarium will cost to run.

[URL="http/www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/...rical_costs.php"]http/www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/...rical_costs.php[/URL]

I calculated mine. With 2 300 watt heaters(no idea...guessed about 16 hrs), 50watts filter usage(24 hrs), 4 24 watt lights(on about 8 hrs) at .0626 per kw. It came to $20 month. I have a 125 gallon tank w/2 eheim pro II 2028's on it.