Total Energy Consumption

[princer7]

Well, we picked up a meter for watts and amps so we could track down some power problems we were having in the house - turned out to be not tank related. We blew some breakers in the garage panel. Right now the tank is running to a different circuit in the hose via extension cord. We have no power in several rooms in the house right now. Thought it would be a good time to inventory the power useage of the tank. Open to suggestions of how to make it more efficient. Lights are run staggered

Actinics
262w 2.2A Icecap 660 Ballast w/ (4) 36" 54w UVL Super Actinic 420nm T5 Bulbs (Overdriven to 85w) - 10 Hours per day

Main Tank Lights
266w 2.2A Coralife 250w Electronic Ballast w/ Reeflux 10,000K SE Bulb - 4.5 Hours per day
259w 2.2A Coralife 250w Electronic Ballast w/ Reeflux 12,000K SE Bulb - 8 Hours per day
256w 2.2A Coralife 250w Electronic Ballast w/ Reeflux 10,000K SE Bulb - 8 Hours per day
253w 2.2A Coralife 250w Electronic Ballast w/ Reeflux 12,000K SE Bulb - 5 Hours per day

Refugium Light
194w 1.7A Hamilton Technology Reef Star 150W HQI Metal Halide w/ 10,000K DE Bulb - 5 Hours per day

Frag Tank Light
173w 1.5A Coralife Aqualight Advanced Hang-On Tank Mount HQI 150w w/ 14,000K DE Bulb - 7 Hours per day

Moon Lights
0w 0.0A AquaController Lunar Sim w/ 3 LED lights - 14 Hours per day

Skimmer & Frag Tank Powerhead
131w 1.6A Marine Solutions MSX250 Skimmer w/ (2) PSK-2500 Sicce Pumps; Hydor Koralia 2 PowerHead - Always On

Pumps
46w 0.4A Tunze Wavemaker - Always On
9w 0.1A Tunze 6101 Stream Pump - Always On
9w 0.1A Tunze 6101 Stream Pump - Always On
160w 1.4A Pan World 150PS - Always On

Kalkwasser Reactor
27w 0.3A GEO Kalwasser Reactor w/ MaxiJet 1200 Powerhead Pump - 1 Hour (Total) per day

Calcium Reactor
9w 0.1A Milwaukee C02 Regulator w/ Solenoid MA-957 - Variable
92w 0.8A Mag 2 Pump; (2) Maxijet 600 Powerhead Pumps - Always On

Chiller
460w 3.8A Current Prime Tower 1/3HP Chiller - Variable

UV Sterilizer
14w 0.1A Tubo Twist 6X 18w UV Sterilizer - offline / 12 Hours per day when needed

Controllers & Fans
3w 0.1A Linksys Router - Always On
0w 0.0A Aquacontroller III Expansion Module - Always On
1w 0.1A Aquacontroller III - Always On
16w 0.2A Icecap Cooling Fan - Always On
16w 0.2A Icecap Cooling Fan - Always On

2656w 23.5A TOTAL w/ Everything running at the same time (not typical)

[Troutmasters02]

There is a lot of chatter about running T5 lighting only. Seems to work for people with just about every coral in the hobby. Replacing all those halides with t5s would help.

[jrsatx20]

CHECK THE OUTLETS IN THE ROOMS WITHOUT POWER. A BAD PLUG IN THAT ROOM CAN BE THE PROBLEM.

[Gseclipse02]

we had a problem were the wire melted from inside the plug and kept causing problems with the breakers

[princer7]

I was able to shave off $7 a month on energy useage to $83.42 per month by adjusting some timers. I was suprised to see that the T5s are not really any more energy efficient than the halides when comparing output - heat generation is totally different though.

My husband went to the Home Depot to pick up some new fuses. Wondering if the big storm we had the other day caused all these problems. Our satellite dish is out as well. DirecTV will not be out until Wednesday.

[Troutmasters02]

I was suprised to see that the T5s are not really any more energy efficient than the halides when comparing output.

Please explain how halides and T5s are the same on energy efficiency.

[Robb_in_Austin]

Hi Jennifer!

Looks like you have ~1500W of HQI/chiller related energy and 262W of T5 energy. Seems like a giant savings(relatively) could be realized there.

Also what, if any, effect do the HQI's have on your AC usage?

What about upgrading to more efficient pumps, such as the Mag and Panworld?( No experience here, just thinking out loud.)

[princer7]

Would definitly be interested in more efficient pumps (and quieter). I am not too familiar with pumps however.

My husband replaced the fuse and we still have power problems. Looks like the power is not making it from the main breaker box outside to 2 of the fuses inside the garage panel. Not all are out - just 2.

[Robb_in_Austin]

Time to call in the professionals!