yarimochi Posted November 25, 2007 Report Share Posted November 25, 2007 Hey y'all, Im just wondering as I start to think about my own big tank what are the running costs of a big tank? The planned tank is 215x75x70 with a capacity of 1128.75L. How much is a glass tank gonna cost me at this size and how much is it gonna cost approximately in power and water? TIA P.S On a sidenote, is this tank OK for an asian arowana? thx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael.qian Posted November 25, 2007 Report Share Posted November 25, 2007 The initial setup is a one-time cost, not sure about the cost of everything in the setup, but I'll be more concerned with the month power bill. Based on my KW/hr charges. All values are monthly estimates. Lighting - Assume total of 100W ($7) Filtration (2X Fluval FX5) - Total 100W ($14) Heating - 3X 300W Heaters ($100, assuming winter) Other - Additional 30W ($5) So total power cost per month $126. This is a rough estimate, based on the worst case scenario. Also it is ok for an asian arowana. Cost of water should not be too significant, power is definitely the main concern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted November 25, 2007 Report Share Posted November 25, 2007 Yeah power is a killer man! I was having massive power bills thought it was the fish tanks sold a heap of fish to keep the wife happy power bill didn't change stuff all.. Realized recently it was the hot water cylinder.. Bugger I sold all my fish! You can help keep the power bill down by having good fitting lids, lining as many sides and even inside the hood with poly, you could even go as far as to having poly cut and stick it to the sides and front overnight as that would be when it is at its coldest.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ianab Posted November 25, 2007 Report Share Posted November 25, 2007 Michaels maths is a bit out, although the heater is 'on' all the time, it's only heating when the thermostat is actually switched on. Thats may only be 25% of the time, especially if you have a bigger than minimum heater. That takes his $100 of heater power down to $25 and total bill to around $50. Realistically the tank may use as much power as a computer or TV set, yes it uses power, but not a HUGE amount. Also any power you use heating the tank isn't actually wasted, it keeps your room warmer too. Bottom line is, if you can afford to buy a tank that size, the extra power bill isn't going to break you Cheers Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted November 25, 2007 Report Share Posted November 25, 2007 You spoiled freshwater guys whine about the electricity costs of your barely lit, only a couple pumps freshwater tanks. Try getting a reef tank! :lol: Last time, and only time, I actually measured the power my reef was using it was about 2.1 KW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Posted November 25, 2007 Report Share Posted November 25, 2007 Also depends on plants or not. A tank this deep will need between 500 and 800W of lighting to grow plants well. That produces a lot of heat to get rid of as well. In summer I have to run the aircon 24/7 to keep the room and tank cool enough. No plants - not so much problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael.qian Posted November 25, 2007 Report Share Posted November 25, 2007 Actually if it's winter time the heater will be on most of the time, if not all. The heater is heating the water when the light is on right? I certainly noticed with mine heater in winter it's on most of the time, in summer is on about 25% of the time, it is a above minimum heater. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Posted November 25, 2007 Report Share Posted November 25, 2007 I have a tank of similar size. In summer my heater never comes on and I have to cool the tank from time to time. The tank has 2 x 300W heater. In winter these spend approx 50% of the time on. By insulating the back and sides that aren't seen you can reduce the power requirement even further. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yarimochi Posted November 25, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2007 The reason I ask is that a condition I have the tank, I have to pay my parents the running costs each month. :roll: And Im estimating it will cost around $75. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted November 25, 2007 Report Share Posted November 25, 2007 Actually if it's winter time the heater will be on most of the time, if not all. The heater is heating the water when the light is on right? I certainly noticed with mine heater in winter it's on most of the time, in summer is on about 25% of the time, it is a above minimum heater. THe only reason it would be on all the time is if the heaters aren't powerful enough to keep the temp at their set point. So, if they normally hold the temp at say 26.0 and it's dropped to 25...Well, then you've got a good idea that the heating required is just above what you have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ianab Posted November 25, 2007 Report Share Posted November 25, 2007 You could allways get one of these. http://www.jaycar.co.nz/productView.asp?ID=MS6115 It's a plug in power meter that measures the peak and average power thats being used, and you can program it with the local power prices and KNOW exactly how much you have used. Cheers Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael.qian Posted November 26, 2007 Report Share Posted November 26, 2007 http://www.jaycar.co.nz/productView.asp?ID=MS6115 That's a good idea now I want one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tHEcONCH Posted November 26, 2007 Report Share Posted November 26, 2007 You could allways get one of these. http://www.jaycar.co.nz/productView.asp?ID=MS6115 It's a plug in power meter that measures the peak and average power thats being used, and you can program it with the local power prices and KNOW exactly how much you have used. Cheers Ian I prefer not to know :oops: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snookie Posted November 26, 2007 Report Share Posted November 26, 2007 probably wouldnt do the hobby much good :roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paekakboyz Posted November 26, 2007 Report Share Posted November 26, 2007 yup ignorance is bliss!! esp when it comes to the $$ spent on electricity Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jalil30 Posted November 26, 2007 Report Share Posted November 26, 2007 Wow. You guys electric bills in NZ are outrageous. I will never complain again.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tHEcONCH Posted November 26, 2007 Report Share Posted November 26, 2007 You said it. We have huge hydro-generation capacity and a relatively small population - go figure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Posted November 27, 2007 Report Share Posted November 27, 2007 We don't have huge hydro capacity (we're similar per person compared to other countries but our GWh is low compared to almost any other country). Our total Hydro generation is smaller than 1 nuclear power station. We pay a lot due to the infrastructure to spread a small amount of power over a large area for a small number of people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael.qian Posted November 27, 2007 Report Share Posted November 27, 2007 That's why one day NZ should have nuclear power. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted November 27, 2007 Report Share Posted November 27, 2007 Yeah. One moderate sized nuke plant in the south island, maybe somewhere near Christchurch and another near Jafaland. At the moment, iirc about 50% of our power is hydroelectric. Drop the hydro back to about 33% which leaves a lot of capacity for changes in demand because I think hydro can adapt a lot quicker. The two nuke plants powering about 66% but running under maximum capacity to give a lot of room for increasing demand over time. Then any other power sources like wind turbines could be used to lower the demand on the nuke plants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yarimochi Posted November 27, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2007 Yeah thats a great idea! If we had some nuclear plants down in the south island I wouldn't need to worry so much about power bills...or nuclear plant meltdowns either... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbob Posted November 27, 2007 Report Share Posted November 27, 2007 Ha, that would be awesome, and id love to see the govt explaining to the americans why they have disallowed any of their nuclear powered ships into nz for the last 30 years or however long its been... but now here we are getting nuclear power plants... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael.qian Posted November 27, 2007 Report Share Posted November 27, 2007 To be honest even if it does happen, it probably won't be for the next 20 years at least. Also I doubted NZ engineers/scientist are currently capable of handling a nuclear power plant, that takes some serious training and discipline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Posted November 27, 2007 Report Share Posted November 27, 2007 Who discovered nuclear energy then... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snookie Posted November 27, 2007 Report Share Posted November 27, 2007 was it the kiwis ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.