monthly costs?

[werp]

I was wondering what it cost to run a 120 gal reef tank. ( electric, additives etc. ). The lighting would be (2) 250 metal halides and some actinics. The tank would have the basic accessories for a coral reef setup. Does a chiller use a lot of energy?

[manny]

This'll (http://www.maast.org/sections.php) help you out electricity-wise werp. Go to the power-draw calculator and it will calculate everything for you

[Tim Marvin]

Figure on about $50-$60 per month. Yes a chiller does use a LOT of electricity, for a tank that size. Fans use very little.

[Jimnorris]

Werp,
Welcome!
I have a reef tank----My wife and I drive Chevs.
If I did not have a reef tank----My wife and I would be driving BMWs!
(7 series)
Jim

[Tim Marvin]

LMAO...... I didn't want to sound that harsh.....

[captexas]

You can use one of the electricity calculators as Manny posted for you. It all varies on how many hours a day you run things. Chillers do have the ability to use a lot of electricity, but not if you use other means to help cool your tank and lights. You can use small fans in the canopy to reduce the heat from the lights and keeping the tank from other heat sources helps as well. The main things that use up electricity of course are lights and pumps. Pumps are the main one as they usually run 24 hours a day.

Other costs such as food and additives depend on the demands of the tank and the livestock. Additives are expensive. If you do regular water changes, you really don't need to mess with any additives other than calcium and a buffer. Those two can still add up though. If you spend the money now on a calcium reactor, it will save you in the long run, but they are a big expense to start off with. If you use frozen foods from an LFS, those can be expensive as well. You can make your own frozen food from items you can purchase at the grocery store seafood section and save lots of money. Really the only other two expenses come from water and salt. Water is not too big a deal and you can buy a 200g bucket of IO salt mix for $40 and that should last you awhile depending on your water changes.

[dow]

Interesting... The calculators don't work with Netscape 7.1. They just show me the program instruction listings

(edited for grammar)

[Chris]

Interesting... The calculators don't work with Netscape 7.1. They just show me the program instruction listings

(edited for grammar)

I noticed that yesterday with Mozilla Firebird. I'll have to see if there's a fix when I get a chance.

:oops:

[Nano_Steve]

(edited for grammar)

LOL! :-D whats this? super mod ver. gram.0.1???

yeah those calculators are pretty right on, i used one when i had my 10 gal set up and i was able to set aside plenty of money each month for the bill, great addition to the site chris!

steve

[Chris]

(edited for grammar)

LOL! :-D whats this? super mod ver. gram.0.1???



I think dow did a little editing himself. ;)

[dow]

wel, ewe kan't just go round with bad gramer. maks pipple think yer stipud, rite?

[Nano_Steve]

jajajaja!!! knida lkie teh trhaed on rcefertenal aoubt mxiing aournd teh wrods eh?

paes, sevte