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Large Systems Discuss the issues involved in tanks larger than 150 gallons here


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Old 10-17-2008, 02:57 AM   #1
AB-Bug
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should I take the 280 gallon plunge?


So I've been reef keeping for about 3 years now, started with a 30g, now I have a 75 gallon. I am acquiring a 280g reef tank this weekend. Theres no livestock, but its ready to go otherwise. I've been looking to upgrade for a while now but I wasn't quite ready for something this BIG. I'm a college student and I'm not exactly rolling in dough, so my reef keeping has always been DIY and budgeted. I'm worried that I wont be able to afford regular maintenance and utilities on a tank that large. It has 1- 400w, and 2- 250w metal halides, and some PCs, a chiller, 3/4 hp I think, a 100 gallon sump/refugium. I'm getting a good deal on it from a close family friend. Can anyone tell me what they spend per month on salt,water,electricity etc.. on a tank in similar size? Should I try and trade the tank for something a little smaller like a 180? Lets hear some wisdom from you experienced reefers. Thanks
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Old 10-17-2008, 07:10 AM   #2
Loverotties
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I'm going to tag along.Like to know how much myself.The bigger the better but hay some times my small reef is to much for certain months for money.
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Old 10-17-2008, 08:47 AM   #3
crvz
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Electricity alone can be upwards of $75 or more, depending on local electricity rates (they range around the country from under $.10 a kwh to over $.20, so this really affects the total bill) and run time of the hardware. In texas, you're probably looking at $75, but I've seen some tanks that size cost twice that or more depending on the final config. But I don't think you'd see a ton of savings falling to a 180, nothing that you couldnt implement on the 280. Instead, I'd reconsider some of the lighting solutions, the need for a chiller, and which pumps you run, as these are the drivers in electricity. On my 150 gallon tank, I planned it with a final electrical rate of under $40 a month, which I achieved at the time (though since local rates have increased, that number has increased some as well). Look at the use of fans for cooling and circulation of air, lower power draw lights (I use T5), efficient pumps and powerheads (like the tunze or vortech, both of which have low power draw compared to CLS pumps).

Salt depends on how much you change a month. If you did an aggressive change, maybe $30 a month, but at 20% changed a month you're only at around $10-$15, so salt isnt really killer.
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Old 10-20-2008, 12:32 AM   #4
AB-Bug
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Well Ive got the tank back home now. I plan on cleaning it and listing it for sale. I'm totally intimidated by its size and I'm not ready to undertake a project of that magnitude. Now I just hope that I can find a buyer.
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Old 10-20-2008, 09:59 PM   #5
OneDummHikk
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Whether for your current system or a potential new system, if you can determine the wattage that each fixture uses, then you can get a pretty decent idea of what it will cost to run the system in Jax using the JEA calculator:
http://www.jea.com/customer/bill.asp
I assume that Atlantic Beach is JEA?

It may help you in deciding. If nothing else, you can get a pretty good idea of what your current tank costs you.
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Old 11-11-2008, 08:45 PM   #6
Yellow Jacket
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I'm looking...

please email me at chris at accessaag.com

I'm in sc.

Thanks.
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Old 09-13-2009, 11:58 AM   #7
Austintatious
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GO for it!

I have a 250 gal.

as stated you can calculate what it will cost per month to run.

You could always do FOWLR and forgoe the powerful lighting.

On my setup I have 5 pumps

2 in tank 1200 GPH @ 50 watts each

2 closed loop 300 gph at 25 watts

1 Velosity t4 1200 GPH for sump - 150 watts

thats 300 watts per hour. that's 21.00 per month

Right now I have 1 400w light running 10 hours per day... thats 12.00 per Mo... I will probably upgrade to two 400w making lighting cost 24.00 per month....

TOTALING 45.00 per month.



Just use those in tank circulation pumps... they are very efficient.
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