Cost to keep tanks running

That is a lot of electricity.

 

Whats the tank temps of your convicts?

Sent from my Lenovo TAB 2 A7-30HC using Tapatalk

 

It fluctuates ... but typically never under 17 degrees. Biggest volume of water and all that helps.

Later Ferdie

 

After getting a gas heater to heat the house I'm saving around R400 a month on my power bill. Using an electric one that gave the same results heating wise was very expensive. I think that's ok considering I have 3 tanks running at 29c and 3 at 26c. Any saving is welcomed.

 

Suppose they wont breed at those temps?

Sent from my Lenovo TAB 2 A7-30HC using Tapatalk

 

Nothing stops them from trying ... have eggs in the 3 corners as we speak hope they do not hatch .. ahh well free protean for the rest of the tank.

Later Ferdie

 

Ish ok. 18 19 degrees and they breeding. Interisting sjo...

Sent from my Lenovo TAB 2 A7-30HC using Tapatalk

 

Interesting to read that everyone is using heaters. I have my 150G planted running in an open plan living room and use no heaters at all. Tank stays between 25-26 year round, tested with a digital thermometer as well as the good old (red liquid?) Thermometer.

Even in dead of winter I've had no issues at all, 3rd year with no heating. I use a thick yoga mat behind my tank against the wall; acts as my black background and that's it.

I know my Elec bill won't be kind as I run a few wavemakers, 2 big canisters and 300w of LED 5hrs a day.

 

As with all heat loss problems find-out where it is leaking.
Another trick if you are running semi open top tanks is to install a winter glass top. I did this a week back on Lucky13 and the heater now only switches on once a day and keeps the tank going. Cuts down on evaporation at the same time.


I use aluminium welding rods to make the a simple clip that holds the 6mm glass that I got from builders. Glass bends, so I would go with a minimum of 3 clips on any thank over 2ft.




Just plan before you give them the cutting instructions, no ill affect if you need a bit of space for plumping and feeding.


As for aluminium toxicity in the tank, I think the clips are ok, they are not immersed and see minimal water on them.

Later Ferdie

 

My 210l tank is killing me on electricity costs, I am now going to make it a comet tank. Two heaters (200 and 150w) can't even keep the tank at 22deg.

 

Is it on the Lapa? My 250 runs at 26 on 150watt

 

Ja, the room temp is between 10 and 15deg, maybe less. I am now only keeping the one 120l tank with a 200w heater in that room.

 

Where is the tank?
This doesn't sound right...

 

In my closed lapa, pretty cold in there.

 

I have another room that has a kind of greenhouse effect. I want so see what the temp of a 30l tank will be without a heater.

 

And in the same room in summer, the water goes over 30 deg.

 

Ok... that makes more sense... it must be very cold in the lapa in winter...
I think in your area, tropical heated tanks would have to be indoors in winter
We go way below zero in our area in winter... no way a heated tank will cope out there unless it has massive heating!

As for Summer.. hehe ironic.. we stress in winter and we stress in Summer trying to keep it cool...

 

What is the lowest temp you can keep guppies at and still be humane.

It is kind of an indoor lapa. I have no other place to put them.

 

Since we are heading into cooler temps, I am just checking what is still working and what needs some TLC - surprisingly everything that is on interns of monitoring is still, well, monitoring



I see those exta lights and multiple pumps, be it internal or HOB.. all makes a difference - but I am still OK with the cost.

Later Ferdie

 

I seriously need to invest some time in setting up something to measure my aquarium power usage as well as do some nice and proper automation.

With my MTS last year around this time I spend around R250 - R300 pm extra on my aquariums, main reason is my room is not insulated where the aquariums are in and at the same time I tried to keep tank temps around 26 at that stage also had quite a few aquariums running at that stage. For now sticking to the 2 I have.