Tank current draw?

[mike31154]

I don't have an aquarium controller that monitors power consumption, but do have a Noma (I think) energy monitor. Pretty cool device since it can display volts, amps, watts & even allows you to input the kilowatt/hr cost to calculate what it's costing you. I keep track of aquarium stats including electrical devices on an Excel spreadsheet. Updated it recently after switching to a DIY LED fixture from MH/T5HO combo. Substantial savings over the older lighting technology. If all my tank electricals were running at full power, Excel calculates it to be approx. 550 watts (should be about 4.6 amps @120VAC).

Once we have our smart meters from BC Hydro, we should be able to figure out not only the amperage, but also power consumption in kilowatt/hours & as a result what our salt water hobby is costing us electrically. Just need to make sure everything else in the house is turned off during the time you wish to monitor consumption, including all the 'ghost' devices like wall warts, furnace xformers etc. Although most of that stuff doesn't consume much.... except for my Shaw digital cable box which sucks 40 watts as long as it's plugged in, even if it's not turned on....