Best Ways to reduce power consuption?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
i don't believe that about the valve. if the motor still has the same watts running it ( no power dial) and the vale gets closed some there would be more resistance on the motor. its not a like throttle on a gas engine.


i am sure you have a nice filter and it works great. i like wet drys i have run one for a while. i just think that they use more power
 
finsandfangs;1922952; said:
i don't believe that about the valve. if the motor still has the same watts running it ( no power dial) and the vale gets closed some there would be more resistance on the motor. its not a like throttle on a gas engine.


i am sure you have a nice filter and it works great. i like wet drys i have run one for a while. i just think that they use more power
Click to expand...

Not an aquarium pump, but same concept:
http://www.vaportrailracing.com/waterpump101.pdf
 
soulFish - I'm up by Sacramento and PG&E is about 20-30% rates are higher. I have an AC and running a 300gal, 240, 180, 75, 40, 30, 20, and 10. The home is medium size and a 2 story and my electric bill has never been over $200. You might want to have PG&E come out and check your meter and help determine why your bill is $500. As other mentioned, the A/C is the biggest energy hog, but since you don't have one your appliances are next in line, namely your fridge. With the number of tanks and size your running your bill seems to be way to high, but without details on your home it difficult to be certain.
 
500$ a month, I can heat my house in the dead of winter in Northern Minnesota for less than that with electricity. I know power is more expensive in California but it can't be THAT bad (mine is 8.2 cents a KW) a big 1000 watt setup (1kw) is 24kw a day or ~720kw a month, for me that would only be 59$ a month. My setup I'm working on has a 510gph Little giant 1/20hp pump thats rated at 131w and 2 26w spiral bulbs so I'm only running 10$ a month for my native fish tank.

Add up your pumps, filters, lights, and heaters and figure out what your max draw is to see what your grand total should be.
 
My power bill was over $500 per quater. I got the shock of my life and turned of all the heaters in my 'coldwater' tanks. I used to heat them so I didn't freeze when doing a water change.
 
8.4c/kw??? that's cheap - it's 14.05c/kw here (and about to go up) My power bills are normally around the $450 - $500 mark per quarter. Next quarter will be more due to the increase
 
Good tip to look at the watts your pumps/filters use. Often the less expensive ones use more power.

Another thing to note is that an acrylic aquarium is better insulated than a glass tank (for future purposes) That will save on heating in the winter.

Keep tight lids on your tank. That will reduce the amount of evaporative cooling the tank gets in winter. It will also keep down your humidity in the winter (high humidity in winter is bad.. condensation on windows).

Consider turning down the heat. I used to run tanks at 80 degrees F.. now I go to 75.

Also, you may want to consider a canopy that is lined with styrofoam insulation if you are really hardcore. I've never done it, but I've heard some Europeans do it (read about it). Apparently a lot of heat escapes through the hoods/tops..
 
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