Electric Bill Holy Cow Batman!

[hillbillyamber]

Anyone got any ideas on how to keep electric bills down? What are good filters, heaters that are easier on electricity? After we hooked up everything to my 180 My hubby almost freaked. And I want more tanks!

[Eddie]

Electricity in Japan cost me around 600 dollars a month, not kidding. LOL

[Trier20]

I think ours is between 160-200ish I haven't looked at one in a while. I have 9 tanks going if that helps.

[darcy]

LMAO! Try running reef tanks with Metal Halide's!!

[Keith Perkins]

Some folks wrap the sides and backs of their tanks with styrofoam insulation. Sponge filters alone would probably be the cheapest filtration electricity wise. My water rates are going up 21% Jan 1, that's the one that has me nervous. Between discus, a sprinkler system for the lawn (my neighborhood sits on a sand vein and we only have a few inches of topsoil before you hit pure sand), and keeping a garden...YIKES! Time to start watering the lawn less and cutting back on the garden. :)

[joanstone]

The electric bill in my house is a point of contention for sure. I cringe when it arrives. I keep downsizing, then before I know it I've plugged more stuff in for more tanks. My big thing is lighting, I'd love to have all LEDs. I have a lot of high wattage heaters plugged in as well, then there's the dehumidifier. I have insulated my Brute containers of WC water and now keep only two heated. I too need to be more efficient.

[Chicago Discus]

Lord don't even get me started LOL.....its crazy...josie

[kimbo]

This summer my electric bill hit over $500. I almost fainted!

[Eddie]

This summer my electric bill hit over $500. I almost fainted!

Thats roughly what mine is, around 400+ Euros!

[Poco]

Who said this hobby was cheap! It is the price we all pay to enjoy our fish :D

[Eddie]

Who said this hobby was cheap! It is the price we all pay to enjoy our fish :D

It's funny, the monthly costs for some folks, can pay for an entire group of adult show fish!

[Poco]

It's funny, the monthly costs for some folks, can pay for an entire group of adult show fish!

Very true. I dont remember who but someone on SD use a heat exchange (gas) to heat all the tank but the problem with that is you are on a central system. Gas is much cheaper than electricity.

[JonC]

Not sure about my electricity bill but my water bill sure what up..

[Moon]

Mine is about $300 a month. I have 22 tanks. But my water is free (not quite free I have to pump it from a well)

[Bud Smith]

My electric bill was $169 (actual usage) but then there was $123 tacked on for sur charges and taxes -
I have 6 tanks in my fish room and I do not heat my fish room or use the overhead lights - I use the lights from the tanks and the heat and humidity from the storage tanks in winter - and during the summer one whole wall has energy effiecent windows which I keep open and use fans to draw the heat and humidity out (I also have a dehumidifier if needed) seems to help alittle bit

[Boyd Luth]

Our County in the State of Florida, has one of the highest rates for electric. I went from 7 tanks to 3 after my bill rose to 250.00 + I am not wealthy, and work 2 jobs, etc. I have insulated my tanks ( 3 sides,and bottom ) as well as my exchange tote....I am entertaining some ideas, heat rises, and I lose many BTU's out of the top of the tank, so will seal off with exception of small area to allow gases to vent...any ideas to save $$$ thanx.

[SortSay2003]

This summer my electric bill hit over $500. I almost fainted!

Hi Kimbo....Good thing you didn't faint. The hospital bill would have made it WORST! lol

[MrsIHguy]

It's a good thing I pay the bills! Hopefully my husband will never find out :o

[sholvey]

need to live within you means! lol

[Second Hand Pat]

Our County in the State of Florida, has one of the highest rates for electric. I went from 7 tanks to 3 after my bill rose to 250.00 + I am not wealthy, and work 2 jobs, etc. I have insulated my tanks ( 3 sides,and bottom ) as well as my exchange tote....I am entertaining some ideas, heat rises, and I lose many BTU's out of the top of the tank, so will seal off with exception of small area to allow gases to vent...any ideas to save $$$ thanx.

Boyd, place glass tops on your tanks to contain the heat. Also your heaters will not work as hard.

[sholvey]

need to live within you means! lol

In all seriousness, for me personally, it's not my electric bill I fear every month. It's usually my water bill that gets my wife aggravated.

[Allwin]

Iam very much used to 250-275$'s

[Elliots]

Definetly use glass tops and try a lower temp for your fish like 81-82 degrees. I went from 85 to 82 for my plants and my fish are fine with that temp. I have mixed wilds and Stendkers. I was thinking of trying 80-81 but I will wait and see. Hopefully I will let someone else try those temps. In the Seventies I kept few Discus at 90 degrees. I was told that was what they needed! No internet then and that may have been the opinion at that time. but it has changed.

[Nick Klimkowski]

Mine is always 350-450. It's part of the hobby:D

[Pat_K]

Anyone thought of adding solar to their homes to become more independent?

[MrsIHguy]

In all seriousness the electric bill could be worse... My husband has a classic car hobby, way more expensive than discus! At least we are spending money on things that bring us joy.

[ericatdallas]

My electric bill is $250-350 but that's because my wife likes the AC. It's kind of sad, her freezing temps cause the heaters to work harder which causes the AC to work harder etc...

[bwssr]

As for heating your tanks This is what I did when I was raising angels. I insulated a room and put an electric heater in it. This saved me plenty as using multiple aquariums heater was costing me plenty. Yes the room was pretty hot but my angels thrived and I had plenty of them breeding on a constant basis. I used at least inched thick styro top and sides. Also you'll need a fan to keep the heat the room evenly top to bottom.

[bwssr]

Also it is good to have a back up thermostat controlled heater.

[bayouboy85]

Mines only 60 bucks lol

[Elliots]

MrsIHguy, you have things correct. You and your husband should spend your money on what makes you happy.

[Kal-El]

$65-$87 each month for me I usually shut off all electronic that is not in use off. It also help that I get free heat so room temp is usually 75-80 dregree meaning heater doesn't have to work as hard.

[STHH]

Hmmm.. In tropical country, we don't use heater, and the only electricity needed is to drive some low wattage pump. So I think it's rather low here... maybe a few bucks per month for the fish.

[Boyd Luth]

Boyd, place glass tops on your tanks to contain the heat. Also your heaters will not work as hard.
Thanks Pat,
Just got Home from the Glass Shop, and sealed off....will help, and we are in the process of Swapping to FP&L :-)