electric bill

barreltwist

barreltwist

Member
I have a 90 gallon, and my hubby says it is costing a ton on our electric bill because of the lights and heaters. We live on a farm, so it is completely possible that my tank is not the only culprit, but I was wondering if anyone had an approximation on how much a month a couple Metal halide 250 watts and a couple little heaters would cost? He thinks it is like 50 bucks. What do you guys think?
 
king_neptune

king_neptune

Active Member
3x250W metal halides at 8 hours a day adds about $48-$53 a month to the electric bill. Pumps and heaters consume even less. But your husband is right all together i would say your SW hobby is having a slight impact on the electric bill. But long showers. Washing with hot water instead of cold. Having heat turned on in rooms you dont use all take thier toll.
We started unplugging appliances when not in use. Seems to help as well.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member

Every area is different on how they are billed. Yes a saltwater tank raises the electric bill, how much more...
...but small price to pay for all that beauty and the joy it gives you.
Everything in life has a price, you have to decide how to spend what you have on what you want out of this life. Any pet costs money, in vets and care, from cats to horses.
If you are straped for cash..take on a babysitting job, or on a farm, maybe board some horses. Find a way to enjoy your life and have peace of mind. You and your beloved shouldn't have to fight over the electric bill.
 
loopy101

loopy101

Member
is here a thought for you if you have the time on reefcenteral dot com i saw a electric calculater. it takes a little time to put all the info in but you punch in how much you pay per kilowatt. then punch in all the watts of the pumps lights heaters ect and how long each of them run and it adds up the total bill for you it was kind of interesting. i havent had all the time yet to figure my bill out yet but after i get my shipment today with my new lights and heaters i ordered i plan to. but just for a little heads up your MH lights do burn up alot of electricity...
 
barreltwist

barreltwist

Member
I will have to check that out, that could be interesting. Is there a possible alternative to MH lights that would work well and be cheaper? This is a FOWLR tank, so I'm not trying to grow coral or anything.
 
loopy101

loopy101

Member
my power compacts have done well with my corals but i think T5HO's are the way to go less heat,cheaper bulbs, less electricity and alot better light then power compacts.(cant wait till my T5HO fixture shows up on my doorstep today)
just saw your not trying to keep corals. do you ever plan on keeping corals? if no then then you have alot of different choices of lights you can use. but if you do plan on one day getting into corals theni would look into getting a T5HO fixture
 
cdposey26

cdposey26

Member
I had MH and my power bill about doubled, so when I set up my new tank, I went with the T5s and I couldnt be happier. If I were you would find a good 6 or 8 bulb fixture with individual reflectors and you should be able to keep anything you were keeping before with much less heat and a lower power bill. Just fyi you will lose the cool shimmer in the water though.
 
drtito

drtito

Member
I just payed my light bill, 240 bucks for the most part unchanged even tho my entire tank was down (heaters,power heads, filters, skimmer, M.H. lamp and T-5s)the bill still came in slightly lower then with it all up maybe 40 maybe.
So not alot more I could not say it cost that much more to run/have a tank.
Hope you work it out.
 
loopy101

loopy101

Member
Just to for warn you. you cant post links from competers on swf.... but yes those would work fine for fish only tanks. but for about the same cost you could get these. t5 NOT HIGH OUTPUT it comes with 2bulbs one day light bulb and one blue bulb. do a search for these lights not sure what size tank you have but for 50 bucks you can get a 48 inch fixture w/bulbs
coralife Aqualight T5 Series - Double Linear Strip they make one for saltwater and freshwater.but they would work for you fish only tank.
 
loopy101

loopy101

Member
Originally Posted by DrTITO
http:///forum/post/3108907
I just payed my light bill, 240 bucks for the most part unchanged even tho my entire tank was down (heaters,power heads, filters, skimmer, M.H. lamp and T-5s)the bill still came in slightly lower then with it all up maybe 40 maybe.
So not alot more I could not say it cost that much more to run/have a tank.
Hope you work it out.

it depends where i use to live the electric company came out and checked the meter ever 2 months. and averaged the bill for the month they did not come out. so that could be why your bill didnt change much...
 
barreltwist

barreltwist

Member
Oops, I didn't realize you can't post competetor links... sorry. Does SWF even have hoods and fixtures? I didn't see any when I was browsing. Thanks for the advice, I will look more into it.
 
drtito

drtito

Member
No I asked when I payed , they said its the kind the needs to be read. I was expecting a lower bill.
 
mech-a-nic

mech-a-nic

Member
Well you could alwase go with LED Power will be cut to almost nothing .......But there a bit expensive on the Front side to get started.....
My bill is up about 50 to 60 bucks but thats 2 250 MH and 2 t5 on 120, 4 t5 on a 55, 1 150 MH and 2 CP on a 46 + 2 nano cubes......... now that I think about it I have a problem..........
 
V

vince-1961

Guest
yes, your power bill will be greater with aquarium than without. End of subject.
 
mech-a-nic

mech-a-nic

Member
Originally Posted by vince-1961
http:///forum/post/3109155
yes, your power bill will be greater with aquarium than without. End of subject.
WOW that was so helpfull to the conversation! If you don't have any usefull info to add don't run others away when they ask for help or advise.
 
barreltwist

barreltwist

Member
Lol.... I agree. It was more a topic of how expensive the electricity is for for different lighting systems in comparison, I think we all understand that there is electricity involved, and that costs money. I am just looking for the way to most efficiently run my system with the least amount of complaining from my husband, who wants to replace the tank with a nice piano that takes no electricity, but is terribly boring in comparison.
 
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