Fishkeeping on Renewable Energy

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
J

Jahkaine

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 13, 2009
7
0
0
Greenville, SC
Hi, MFKers! This is my first post, and I'm not sure whether it should go here or the General Discussion area.

My question is: has anyone here attempted/contemplated using Renewable Energy (solar or wind) to run their tanks either partially or wholly? Last month's electric bill was stifling, so I'm looking for alternatives.

I know that my HOBs can't draw that much power, so I'm guessing that it's the heaters and/or lighting.

Any comments good or bad are helpful. TIA and Yay, I'm no longer a lurker! :headbang2
 
a little too "green" for me
 
I know a guy that had $800-$1,000/month electric bills. After installing $25,000 worth of solar panels (that is AFTER his $5,000 CA. rebate) his electric bill is now a "manageable" $1-200/month.
 
Here is a good place to start. http://aquatic-terrors.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=13158

Knowing what you have and how it is drawing on your electricity is the first step. I have 15 tanks that are individually heated that don't cost me more than about 30 or 40 bucks a month in electricity.

What is you current set up? Number of tanks? filtration? heat?

Renewable powersources are a big investment. You can't just place a solar panel out on your roof and expect working equipment. You have to convert the solar panel output power which is generally DC to AC. You also need to put strings of batteries together for when the panels output is not so strong (nights, cloudy days, ect)

Lots of things to think about.
Keeper
 
And start out by insulating your tanks or your fishroom.
I got a 180 Gl that's well insulated, and I use a pond aireator to circulate the heat produced by my lights.
I don't need a heater, not even in winter, and our winters are cold.
 
Wow! Quick responses, guys. Nice link, DK. I am aware RE is a substantial upfront investment with the controllers, chargers, inverters, battery banks, etc., but we all gotta start somewhere, right?

My setup:
3x 55g - 1 acrylic with breeding pair of Red Bay Snooks
- glass 7 RBS grow outs, common pleco
- glass 2 bichirs, clown loach, spotted bushfish, red bellied pacu, common pleco
1x 20high - 1 aponogeton and 1 cabomba plant :ROFL::ROFL:
1x 10g - not in use at the moment.

All are FW.

Noddy, how do you insulate a tank?
 
You can insulate tank by placing foam or insulative material around all side except the viewing window.
 
If you wanted to you could go with a solar thermal hot water system to keep your tanks heated. This would be simplified by plumbing all your tanks to a single large sump and then plumbing the sump to the water heater. Use a temperature controller on the heater circulation pump to maintain a constant temp.

You could likely apply federal (and state) tax credits to get this system on the cheap (solar thermal tends to be much cheaper than solar PV). However you would probably get more bang for your buck if you ran solar thermal on your home hot water system instead of on the tanks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom