How does 400 to 600 watts of lights for your aquarium affect your electric bill?

[larsson]

How much does having 400 to 600 watts of light over your tank, most likely power compact, affect your electric bill running the lights 10 to 12 hours per day?

[PaintGuru]

I would think this you could calculate directly from your electric bill. 500W=0.5kW for 12 hours = 6kw*h per day. Figure one pays $0.10/kW*h so $0.60/day. Actually that cost per kW*h is a guess. It definitely wont lower the bill .

[larsson]

The max I'd be willing to raise the bill would be about $10 a month, so I guess metal hallide and powerful power compacts are out?

[Casey]

Originally posted by larsson
The max I'd be willing to raise the bill would be about $10 a month, so I guess metal hallide and powerful power compacts are out?

yep your right.

[larsson]

Originally posted by Casey
yep your right.

What wattage could I have and yet still have low light mushroom corals? The tank I plan to get will be either 22 or 29 inches deep, probably a 125, a 180, or a 220?

[Casey]

Mushroom corals dont take a lot of light I have kept them with 80 watts of light in a 125 tank.

[larsson]

Originally posted by Casey
Mushroom corals dont take a lot of light I have kept them with 80 watts of light in a 125 tank.

Very cool..I had no idea

[Joel]

If you're worried about the cost of a little electricity you probably don't want a reef tank. Might try goldfish in a bowl. (Sorry just had to). Really though the benefits of good lights far outweigh the minor increase of your electric bill. Just my .02 don't think about it just spend the $. Eventually you'll get tired of mushrooms and will want sps or lps or anenomes or .........

[Junkzoo]

running about 1100 watts o light here,,,yup the electric meter does spin more,,,but, during the winter here,,the furnace hardly comes on! LOL
i tend to think of it as a trade off,,,,
more the reason to get everything downstairs,,,
don't ask about the summer A/C bill

[RWD]

In the summer with the tank, A/C, and pool filter on, I can slice meat with my electric meter

[Rick O]

Originally posted by RWD
In the summer with the tank, A/C, and pool filter on, I can slice meat with my electric meter

[wasabi]

i came up with a great plan of attack for the bill. i blame my wife for adjusting the thermostat continually. she still thinks its her fault that the bill has gone up 100.00 A MONTH OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS. i hope she never finds out its the 3000 watts of lighting in the basement.

[sessydude]

I just figure I will turn my Hot Tub in to the next reef tank, then maybe my wife wont notice the extra $$$ for power.....I blame the kids for everything else

[ChrisIsBored]

Try out this little utility. Also remember that our ballasts aren't 100% efficient so your 250W MH might be pulling 285W's of power... so think of it as an estimate.

[Casey]

Chris cool utility thanks