joliet Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 the carbon stuff the heater gives off is bad for you and gives bad headaches Been using it a couple of months and yet to see any downside to it. We bought a new one this winter and like I say, no problems with damp or mold and no bad headaches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 Is their a formula you can use to work out how much power a tank uses? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaron11 Posted August 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 well after using one for 12 yrs and seeing how my house got from the mould never again ! if i do use it only be for when its real cold id rather have an electric heater on than posion myself ! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkLB Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 Is their a formula you can use to work out how much power a tank uses? You can buy power consumption meters. I got mine from the Warehouse for $25. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaron11 Posted August 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 great idea how did u find it??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkLB Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 I was buying an extension cord and it was in the same area Actually, I found it a little scary to know exactly how much my tanks cost me :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattwa Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 Probably wouldn't be too hard to rig up a year round solar set up for fish tanks. Solar panel + solar controller (some are built into panels nowadays) + deep cycle battery + power inverter. Initial start up costs could probably (emphasis on probably, would need to really study it) be recouped in the first year. I work at supercheapauto, this stuff is getting cheaper and cheaper, except for batteries because the price of lead has gone through the roof! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaron11 Posted August 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 how much lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattwa Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 20w Solar panel (SCA brand, has controller built in) $250 - $300 approx. Deepcycle (must be deep cycle, designed to discharge, unlike car batteries) battery 120 amp hour $300 approx. Power Inverter under $100. So, call it around $650-$700 start up cost. Depends on how much you spend a year for fish tank power to decide if it could be viable. Any electricians out there that know how many amps a filter, air stone and heater would draw an hour, roughly?? Would 120 amp hour battery and 20watt charger cover it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattwa Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 Of course, then theres a concern around reliability... May get around that with a seperate heater connected to power, set at a lower temp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaron11 Posted August 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 oh neat mark how much did your tanks use+ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkLB Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 I haven't figured them all out yet but I know the 450 litre costs around $35 a month. I'm going to insulate it this weekend and will see how much that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 $780.00 last month, 22 tanks in one room, old uninsulated house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaron11 Posted August 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 Mark well i sold some guppies i had so that helped i have 60 litre 90 litre, 22 litre and 3 foot turtle tank would that add up to 35 like yours??? my last bill was 130 in the summer its under 100 I try save power where i can but I LOVE MY FISH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkLB Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 If your bills are only $130 I wouldn't be worried at all. I average around $300 a month and I have a 50 litre, 100 litre, 2 X 160 litres, 2 X 200 litres and a 450 litre. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VinsonMassif Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 Our last bill was $390. I reckon My 300L tanks cost $35 each. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smcoleman Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 we use $83 a week an we have 13 tanks ,heat pump running about 8 hours a day to heat the house ,hrv ,dishwasher heated towel rail best thing we have is glo bug so we can see wot power we using Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaron11 Posted August 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 I had one that was 180 but i used the dryer i have tv, comptuers, 4 tanks, showers cookin dryer maybe twice a week electric blanket etc so not to bad for 130 i use electric heating now hate gas so if I can keep it around 150 i be happy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaron11 Posted August 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 thats good for all taht stuff !!!! and a heat pump!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cricketman Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 my last power bill was 150 bux, for 2 people in a well insulated house using no heaters all winter, only hotwater bottles... and i have one ~250l tank... something sound wrong there? cos i thik it does! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaron11 Posted August 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 150? thats a bit high mind you depnds what company you are with I use loads more than that and mines about hte same Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted August 5, 2009 Report Share Posted August 5, 2009 about $550 last month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morcs Posted August 5, 2009 Report Share Posted August 5, 2009 on one of the US forums they were calculating how much it takes to run a tank. Based on their figures It costs like $5 to run a 150L tank per month? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morcs Posted August 5, 2009 Report Share Posted August 5, 2009 or you could get one of these and work out how much power each tank is using http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-ph ... 227047.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whetu Posted August 5, 2009 Report Share Posted August 5, 2009 or you could get one of these and work out how much power each tank is using http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-ph ... 227047.htm I bought one of those from Bunnings for much less than that. Very useful gadget! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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