Ira Posted November 10, 2005 Report Share Posted November 10, 2005 If I was going to set up a frag tank I'd be tempted to try skylights or setting it up in a glasshouse... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted November 10, 2005 Report Share Posted November 10, 2005 Total Watts used: 1600 watts Watts per annum: 27010 hours per year Kilowatt hours used: 27.01 kw/hrs Lighting: $355.88 per year (2190 kw/hrs) Pumps: $583.64 per year (3591.6 kw/hrs) Filtration: $99.65 per year (613.2 kw/hrs) Heating: $106.76 per year (657 kw/hrs) Other appliances: $0 per year (0 kw/hrs) TOTAL: $1145.93 That's using 0.16250c/Kwhr as suggested by Bluetom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brianemone Posted November 10, 2005 Report Share Posted November 10, 2005 la la la lalalalalalala (im singing this with my ears blocked) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay Posted November 10, 2005 Report Share Posted November 10, 2005 We pay $1000 a month house and shop, and we are on gas for cooking and water heating so I don't want to know what the tanks cost. All I know is we won't be able to afford this hobby when we retire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveA Posted November 10, 2005 Report Share Posted November 10, 2005 Between 21/06/2005 and 29/09/2005 the tank(s) consumed $594.01 worth of electricity. That works out at $182.68 per month. Consumed by (ignoring duty cycles): Lights 1992 W Pumps 395 W Heaters 1500 W Other 52.5 W Total 3939.5 Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghostface Posted November 10, 2005 Report Share Posted November 10, 2005 has anyone thought of trying to use natural light [skylight, etc] to suppliment their artificial lighting? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluetom Posted November 10, 2005 Report Share Posted November 10, 2005 What about solar? Esspecially those in the north, most areas are perfect for it. It would probably set you back 5-10 grand but at $500 a month thats easierly paid off in 2 years. Would be esspecially a good idea for those of you who have just moved or building new homes. No more relying on the mains grid, if you get enough you can even make money of the power companis by running unused power through the meter box. Large capital investment but panels last "forever" and almost zero maintainance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluetom Posted November 10, 2005 Report Share Posted November 10, 2005 $8k for 1000w http://www.ecoinnovation.co.nz/product.php?group=4&PHPSESSID=3197051810b25af7df0a6b30038370e5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pies Posted November 10, 2005 Report Share Posted November 10, 2005 SteveA - Surley you can't coun't the 1500 watts of heating into your costs. I have 900 wattsof heating, and don't remember seeing my heaters on in the last 6 months (other than at water change time). Pie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lduncan Posted November 10, 2005 Report Share Posted November 10, 2005 $8k for 1000w http://www.ecoinnovation.co.nz/product.php?group=4&PHPSESSID=3197051810b25af7df0a6b30038370e5 Plus batteries, charge controllers and inverters... Wind is more cost effective and efficient than solar, by a long shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluetom Posted November 10, 2005 Report Share Posted November 10, 2005 so you think a wind farm in your inner city backyard is plassable??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lduncan Posted November 10, 2005 Report Share Posted November 10, 2005 Nope. You think that solar is going to save money, rather than cost? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveA Posted November 11, 2005 Report Share Posted November 11, 2005 What about solar? . Once worked out that to completely power my system using solar would cost about $40,000. Panels don't last forever either AFIK. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveA Posted November 11, 2005 Report Share Posted November 11, 2005 SteveA - Surley you can't coun't the 1500 watts of heating into your costs. I have 900 wattsof heating, and don't remember seeing my heaters on in the last 6 months (other than at water change time). Pie I don't. I said "ignoring duty cycles", so that would be max consumption will everything on. The $ figues came from the power meter the whole system runs thru, so I know exactly how much power it has used without having to worry about how long different things were on. My heaters are on about 30% of the time or more. More in the last week or so since I boosted the temperature from 25 to 27. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted November 11, 2005 Report Share Posted November 11, 2005 Once worked out that to completely power my system using solar would cost about $40,000. Panels don't last forever either AFIK. Steve By my calculations the solar panels, assuming they're putting out their max rating 8 hours a day, ignoring costs of batteries and other supporting equipment and going by the best prices I could find...They would pay for themselves in 15 years and need replaced in 20 years. The supporting equipment some would last far less than that(Batteries) or longer but I'd say bet on replacing the entire system every 20 years...So, no, not worth it unless you don't have access to electricity from any other source. Better than diesel, worse than wind if you are in a windy area... For a marine tank you'd be better off instead of powering the lighting by solar panels you could set them up under a skylight or solatube, maybe set up some kind of mirror system with sun tracking. That'd be FAR more efficient. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetskisteve Posted November 11, 2005 Report Share Posted November 11, 2005 I Think Fishy-matt is looking at using solar tubes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Posted November 11, 2005 Report Share Posted November 11, 2005 My fishroom is set up to heat water, a small pump, pumps it thru pipes set in the floor and heats the room. The concrete floor acts as a night reservoir, and for back up IF we have no sun. A thermostatic electric fan heater. Alan 104 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suphew Posted November 11, 2005 Report Share Posted November 11, 2005 What a great idea! Only down side for seawater is the need to use titanium pipes, which I'm guessing would get a bit pricy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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