Never to set up a monster tank in a uninsulated garage...

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Crazyfish88

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Nov 6, 2009
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BC, Canada
Well I learned my lesson after setting up my 450 gallon tank in an uninsulated garage. Winters where I live drops down to around 0 degrees Celsius. Lowest we experienced would be -7 degrees. Anyhow at first I was running 1200 watts of heaters 4 x 300 watts and they would run consistently and boosted my energy bill to $380-$400. I added a 1000 watt titanium heater later on but then my breaker box kept tripping(15 amp garage breaker). So I removed 2 x 300 watts of heaters and just used 1000 watt + 2 x 300 watt heaters. I ran the system for about a year but after winter ended I ended up selling the tank and whole system because this was set up at my parents house in the garage. I recently bought a 600 gallon tank system but this time I will re do the whole garage with insulation and upgrade the breaker box. Hopefully by next year I can get my own place and set it up. Just thought I'd share my experience with everyone. It was an expensive lesson to learn...


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You should also consider insulating the tank itself - i've read about people putting blankets, etc, around the aquarium and on top - this would keep a lot of heat in.
 
True, as long as your air exchange is okay, insulation can be a big help
 
Ya when I set up my 600 gallon tank I will re do the whole garage and I need to upgrade the breaker box to a 200 amp cuz my parents house breaker box is only a 100 amp and it has no more room for new breakers. It's a old style house. Also I had an open designed sump which didn't keep the heat in well. When I set it up I will do it right this time. Though I really hope I get my own place next year and set it up there.


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over here winter gets cold too. I have a large shed out back I was going to put two large tanksin. I have been thinking if I should insulate or not so thanks for the heads up.
 
Crazyfish we basically have the same tank. Mine is also in the garage. I insulated my garage and drywalled it plus added a small 220 electric heater. I have one titanium 1000 watt heater running the whole tank with no problems. Take care of sealing the place up and you will be fine.
 
hamster said:
over here winter gets cold too. I have a large shed out back I was going to put two large tanksin. I have been thinking if I should insulate or not so thanks for the heads up.
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I would definitely insulate it unless you're ready to fork out big bucks for utilities.


Silent Bob said:
Crazyfish we basically have the same tank. Mine is also in the garage. I insulated my garage and drywalled it plus added a small 220 electric heater. I have one titanium 1000 watt heater running the whole tank with no problems. Take care of sealing the place up and you will be fine.
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Even after the insulation and dry wall u still need to run a small heater? How's the energy costs after the insulation? My parents weren't too happy with the electricity bill even when I paid half for it. My parents energy would only cost them $60-$80 (every 2 months) before and without my fish tanks.


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Living in a townhome my garage is my mancave. The garage was originally finished as that is where I spent all my time on my other hobby, giant rc airplanes. I live just outside of Chicago so it gets pretty cold in the winter. The electricity bill is around 160 a month with the 600, 70, and 55 running along with the heater.
 
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