Electricity Hike Coming Any Tips For a More Energy Efficient Reef?

[Old Glory]

Hi my wife is all over me already about the electric bill. If rates go up as predicted it may mean the end or a very unhappy wife! Do any of our more seasoned reefers have any tips to become more energy efficient? I switched from Halide to LED to save some electric costs.

 

[this is me]

Eat less food.

 

[The Reef Pit]

LOL>>>

Eat less food.

November 1st to April 30th 37 percent increase, I have been looking at changing my main pump to a dc pump that use's less, but other than that there is not much I could do my self. If you use 500 kilowatt's that about $33.00 a month increase.

 

[Bao]

Your wife actually look at the electric bill and know how much it is every month? That's a very good wife you have there. My wife doesn't know how much her credit card bill is.

Beside buying more efficient return pump and power heads, not sure what else you can do to reduce the amount of electricity usages. Maybe downgrade to a smaller tank and make it simpler?

 

[reefkeeper2]

Insulate your sump and anything else you can to help keep those heaters off during the winter. I made covers out of solid insulation to put over the tank at night. Also looking into a DC pump but I have 13ft of head pressure and can't find one (in USA) that is strong enough. Plenty in Europe. Why are they always ahead of us? Royal Exclusive is coming out with one at the end of November but will cost many $$$$$$$. My Red dragon skimmer pump is still running flawless after 9 years so maybe it would be worth it.

 

[P-Nut]

What's the hike and what is your energy consumption?

 

[MofoCorals]

National grid is increasing their prices by 37% from November 1- April 30.

 

[jrmx635]

I watch my heater with my apex jr and found that if i have the temp on at 76.1 and off at 77,my heater runs way more in 24 hours than when i run the on at 76.1 and off at 76.3.
It kicks on more but
but Your heater doesnt have to work as hard.
So i add all the on times in 24 hours and find its way less even though it kicks on more.
If you can get a real good heater control it helps.
Other than that,anything that runs 24 hours will help if reduced.
I was gonna switch my main pump out to save 15 watts but the cost didnt justify the pennys in electric.
Switch your lights in your house to led also.

 

[reefkeeper2]

76? Thatseems a little too low to me. It would be interesting to see what other people keep their temps at in the winter. I keep mine at 78.

 

[The Reef Pit]

I keep my tank around 76 year round, I found I get less algee issue's at the low temp my self

 

[jrmx635]

Lower temps can mean more oxygen,less algea and less parisites from what ive read.
And reefs around the world range from 71 to i believe 82

 

[JasonandSarah]

I'm also at 76°year round....

 

[reefstarter]

Keep your room temp around 73 ish and the heaters won't come in

 

[MofoCorals]

I keep mine at 78.5

 

[PSU4ME]

I don't use National Grid for electricity but I read that NSTAR isn't far behind in a rate filing. Tough to make your existing reef more efficient other than trying to conserve the heat. Past that you would need to replace existing equipment with more efficient ones. I keep my reef at 78.5 currently. LEDs are even more economical now!

I'm shutting down my "tank fridge" and i'll just use the main one plus during the winter I shut off the fan i have dedicated to the tank.

37% is ridiculous though.....my bill last month was already over $300

 

[this is me]

I'm not sure upgrading your equipment because of the electricity price hike from Nov. to Apr. is a wise choice. The upgrade in cost of the equipment is easily more than the extra cost of the price hike.
Doing things like lowering the temp of the tank and insulate the basement sump is probably all you can do. I'd look for ways to cut cost elsewhere. For example, TV cable. I use an HD antenna and that's all the channels I need. Going out to the movie or dinner one time less a month. Bring your own lunch and coffee to work will easily cover the extra cost in the electricity.
I also keep my reef at 77 and wanting to reduce that down to 76. I notice ever since I dropped my temp to <78, I haven't lost any Acan yet. I used to have a hard time keeping them when I kept the tank at 80+.

 

[reefkeeper2]

Reef inhabitants can survive a wide range of temperature but the optimum temperature range for growth and health is 77-82. They might survive 76 just fine but I would not keep my reef at that temp for a long period of time.

 

[jrmx635]

If your worried about temps,look at what coral you have and where they are native to.
Check the temps at that reef.
20 years in reefkeeping and ive always run at 76,and in the summer its been as high as 84.
Only time corals had problems was over 80,usually anemones first.
Never have i ever seen or heard of coral problems from 76.
Do some research and youll find you can save some electric at the lower end of the reef temp ranges

 

[The Reef Pit]

Reef inhabitants can survive a wide range of temperature but the optimum temperature range for growth and health is 77-82. They might survive 76 just fine but I would not keep my reef at that temp for a long period of time.

I have kept mine at 76 for 1 1/2 years now, no problem with growth on my acans at all, or my sps, I know some other you tubers that have kept their tanks at the same temp for years with no growth problem as well. By all means I am not saying this is the target temp for every one, but it has worked well for me and my tank

 

[Phinfan]

Also at 76 degrees