Aquariums and Electricity Bill
- Thread starter dbcb314
- Start date
DO NOT GO ON THIS WEBSITE
JUST BECAUSE I SAID THIS DOESN'T MEAN THAT YOU SHOULD
ITS SCREWS YOUR COMPUTER UP.
Actually the software AquarioGest and Aquarix will calculate the electrical usage and expenses for your tanks and all the associated equipment.
I actually know exactly how much my electric bill was affected (I run a spreadsheet of my bills (Yes I am 100% anal)...Anyways:
Just 30G tank (heater, lights and filter) = ~$12
30G + 75G + 10G total = ~$37
Before tank I was paying around $70-80, now with all 3 I pay around $115
I expected a LOT more, but I'm not complaining!
FYI - I run a small AC unit (brand new) that's rated for 17x20 room (8k BTU) - Running this 4-6 hours a day every day for a month = ~$20 to help put this in perspective
Just 30G tank (heater, lights and filter) = ~$12
30G + 75G + 10G total = ~$37
Before tank I was paying around $70-80, now with all 3 I pay around $115
I expected a LOT more, but I'm not complaining!
FYI - I run a small AC unit (brand new) that's rated for 17x20 room (8k BTU) - Running this 4-6 hours a day every day for a month = ~$20 to help put this in perspective
I think the problem is a lot of folks probably dont remember how much their bills were before aquariums, or its been so long that prices have changed, etc. etc.
Its been about 4yrs for me that I've been in the hobby. I do remember what the electric was before that since it was a new house and I was impressed with the efficiency of the heat pump, etc. However over those few years other things have changed, like I usually have 3 computers running 24x7 now that I didnt before, big screen tv, etc.. My bill now-a-days is about 50% more than it was 5 yrs ago. Also monthly usage can fluctuate a lot, to get a good comparison youd have to average it over an entire year to account for varied usage due to unusually warm or cold months, for example (especially for those with electric heat/air conditioning).
Also dont forget about water bills. In some municipalities this doesnt add up to much, and obviously it depends on how many gallons a week your going through. Mine is on the pricey side, and its the sewage that really gets you as they basically just take your water and double it.
I think those Kill-a-watt things would be about as accurate a way to measure the cost of the aquarium for most folks.
Its been about 4yrs for me that I've been in the hobby. I do remember what the electric was before that since it was a new house and I was impressed with the efficiency of the heat pump, etc. However over those few years other things have changed, like I usually have 3 computers running 24x7 now that I didnt before, big screen tv, etc.. My bill now-a-days is about 50% more than it was 5 yrs ago. Also monthly usage can fluctuate a lot, to get a good comparison youd have to average it over an entire year to account for varied usage due to unusually warm or cold months, for example (especially for those with electric heat/air conditioning).
Also dont forget about water bills. In some municipalities this doesnt add up to much, and obviously it depends on how many gallons a week your going through. Mine is on the pricey side, and its the sewage that really gets you as they basically just take your water and double it.
I think those Kill-a-watt things would be about as accurate a way to measure the cost of the aquarium for most folks.
Here is the calculator that is safe...
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/electrical_costs.php
I have a slave board on the fish room with a separate meter. I average 3700kwh a month at.08 cent a kwh. It cost about $280 a month after discounts. The total bill for house and all averages out around $350 a month.
I run some big tanks and have a lot of lights, pumps, A/C, and dehumidifier always running!
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/electrical_costs.php
I have a slave board on the fish room with a separate meter. I average 3700kwh a month at.08 cent a kwh. It cost about $280 a month after discounts. The total bill for house and all averages out around $350 a month.
I run some big tanks and have a lot of lights, pumps, A/C, and dehumidifier always running!
It's funny Tristan should mention water & sewer costs. My water & sewer combined is ~$5.00 per thousand gallons. I use about 80 gallons per change four times a month for a total of ~320 gallons per month.
($5.00 / 1000) x 320 = $1.60/month.
Nearly double my electric costs. Then there is food and water conditioner. Stop!!! No more adding things up.
($5.00 / 1000) x 320 = $1.60/month.
Nearly double my electric costs. Then there is food and water conditioner. Stop!!! No more adding things up.
I hope you're selling fish to support your hobby! Wow! The total bill for my house is about $40 to $50. And that is at ~$0.12 per kwhr.
