How much amperage is your tank drawing?

[Simons]

my average Enmax bill (minus gas) was ~$280 a month. That includes power, water, recycling etc. After I stood up my 250 Gal tank (80 Gal sump) it went to $300 a month on average.

I have a large AC return pump (Tunze) but run Radions x 3, Mp60's x2 a 230 Cone skimmer (internal) plus I have 2 x 800 W heaters in the sump with my ATO and I run my Apex and a wifi adapter, combined with 2 x reactors with the MJ1200 pumps for GFO/Carbon.

Right now, my Apex is telling my that my tank is drawing 5.2 Amps. I have ALL my tank gear plugged into the Apex, there is nothing (even my ATO) that isn't plug into the Apex. When both my sump heaters kick in, that goes up to 10.6 Amps but it's usually only for a few minutes an hour. 5.2 Amps is my average running load on my Saltwater tank. 2.3 Amps is the average load on my Freshwater tank, that spikes to 5.2 Amps when the heater is on (also running Radion x 3 and a Vectra L1 DC return pump, and the same two MJ1200 reactor pumps for GFO and carbon).

So both my tanks cost ~$30/month in electricity usage ($20 for saltwater tank and $10 for my freshwater tank).

[element291]

Originally Posted by whatcaneyedo

In our case I think my tank doubles the electricity bill. I built a spread sheet a few years ago and figured it all out and that is what it was.

oh man this is what I am hoping doesn't happen in my case!

Originally Posted by Simons

my average Enmax bill (minus gas) was ~$280 a month. That includes power, water, recycling etc. After I stood up my 250 Gal tank (80 Gal sump) it went to $300 a month on average.

I have a large AC return pump (Tunze) but run Radions x 3, Mp60's x2 a 230 Cone skimmer (internal) plus I have 2 x 800 W heaters in the sump with my ATO and I run my Apex and a wifi adapter, combined with 2 x reactors with the MJ1200 pumps for GFO/Carbon.

Right now, my Apex is telling my that my tank is drawing 5.2 Amps. I have ALL my tank gear plugged into the Apex, there is nothing (even my ATO) that isn't plug into the Apex. When both my sump heaters kick in, that goes up to 10.6 Amps but it's usually only for a few minutes an hour. 5.2 Amps is my average running load on my Saltwater tank. 2.3 Amps is the average load on my Freshwater tank, that spikes to 5.2 Amps when the heater is on (also running Radion x 3 and a Vectra L1 DC return pump, and the same two MJ1200 reactor pumps for GFO and carbon).

So both my tanks cost ~$30/month in electricity usage ($20 for saltwater tank and $10 for my freshwater tank).

Now this is more like what I hope my bill will be like! But I doubt it will be that cheap for me. Our setup sounds similar. I have 2 800W heaters, reeflo hammerhead pump 265watts 3 AI Hydra 52 LED fixtures on at 40%, DC7000 powering a reef octopus regal 300 ext that also has a 85w pump on it for the bubbles, RW15 for flow, 25W fuge light all going into apex.

I have signed up for "myaccount" on Hydro One's website since I moved in and it shows on the offpeak rate sunday I used $6.50 of hydro and then yesterday onpeak shows $10.90 for the day. So just or 2 days I am already almost up to your saltwaters $20 usage cost... Hmm your electricity rates must be far superior!

[warriorcookie]

Originally Posted by element291

I have signed up for "myaccount" on Hydro One's website since I moved in and it shows on the offpeak rate sunday I used $6.50 of hydro and then yesterday onpeak shows $10.90 for the day. So just or 2 days I am already almost up to your saltwaters $20 usage cost... Hmm your electricity rates must be far superior!

Lots of people are running reverse lighting schedules because of night shift work, etc. Maybe you could try that so you'd max out during off peak hours.

I have a feeling Alberta will be just as bad as Ontario pretty soon for energy costs....

[Simons]

Originally Posted by element291

oh man this is what I am hoping doesn't happen in my case!



Now this is more like what I hope my bill will be like! But I doubt it will be that cheap for me. Our setup sounds similar. I have 2 800W heaters, reeflo hammerhead pump 265watts 3 AI Hydra 52 LED fixtures on at 40%, DC7000 powering a reef octopus regal 300 ext that also has a 85w pump on it for the bubbles, RW15 for flow, 25W fuge light all going into apex.

I have signed up for "myaccount" on Hydro One's website since I moved in and it shows on the offpeak rate sunday I used $6.50 of hydro and then yesterday onpeak shows $10.90 for the day. So just or 2 days I am already almost up to your saltwaters $20 usage cost... Hmm your electricity rates must be far superior!

Well, your in Ontario, ask me again in about 9 months what my bill is. Alberta is following the same failed energy policy of Ont so I wouldn't hold me breath that this $30 tank cost would hold out for much longer.

I am bracing myself for a %100 increase in my utility bills by end of next summer, once the Alberta 'rip you off and do nothing carbon' tax starts eating away at our economy. Then when the feds get a share in another year or so..I will be lucky if my Enmax bill will be under $700/month. People say I am crazy and it won't happen here in Alberta, but they said the same thing in Ontario. Look at your rates now! > %150 increase in less than 2 years, and that isn't just on generation or actual usage of power, your transmission, distribution fees etc tripled!

[smokinreefer]

im guessing the trend is less power consumption with the masses using LEDs and with the influx of energy efficient powerheads and DCpumps...

is it still recommended to have 2 dedicated circuits for a system? I want to prepare for my upcoming 300g display.

[element291]

Originally Posted by Simons

Well, your in Ontario, ask me again in about 9 months what my bill is. Alberta is following the same failed energy policy of Ont so I wouldn't hold me breath that this $30 tank cost would hold out for much longer.

I am bracing myself for a %100 increase in my utility bills by end of next summer, once the Alberta 'rip you off and do nothing carbon' tax starts eating away at our economy. Then when the feds get a share in another year or so..I will be lucky if my Enmax bill will be under $700/month. People say I am crazy and it won't happen here in Alberta, but they said the same thing in Ontario. Look at your rates now! > %150 increase in less than 2 years, and that isn't just on generation or actual usage of power, your transmission, distribution fees etc tripled!

Oh yes, just the distribution before any energy costs the bill is $60

Originally Posted by smokinreefer

im guessing the trend is less power consumption with the masses using LEDs and with the influx of energy efficient powerheads and DCpumps...

is it still recommended to have 2 dedicated circuits for a system? I want to prepare for my upcoming 300g display.

The hydras I have still run quite a bit of juice although not as bad as MH or T5 of course.
I would say get yourself 2 circuits for sure as I just got one of my 800 watt heaters plugged into my apex and alone it runs my amperage from 7 to 13 amps.

[e46er]

Originally Posted by smokinreefer

im guessing the trend is less power consumption with the masses using LEDs and with the influx of energy efficient powerheads and DCpumps...

is it still recommended to have 2 dedicated circuits for a system? I want to prepare for my upcoming 300g display.

i would run min 2 just to be safe. have a heater and a powerhead plugged into each circuit so if something trips one you still have a backup plan.
for a system that big 2x20amp or 3x15 amp isnt a bad idea
you dont want to run circuits near full load anyways and at worst case senario a tank that big will need over 15 amps you will probably need 1200 watts of heaters which is 10 amps for alone if the power goes out and it drops when it comes back on all your heaters will run.
the 2nd and 3rd circuits would give you the ability to run 3 MH or 10-16 T5 bulbs if you decide LED isnt for you, and still have powerheads and return pumps and skimmers on all 1/2 load circuits.
breakers and wire are cheep, no point to skimp

return pump 150-200 watts
heaters 1200 watts
powerheads 100-200 watts
LED lights 500 watts MH 750-1200 T5 400-800
skimmer 75 watts
with those rough numbers with LED not even running full your MAX with a single 20Amp circuit its not smart putting all your eggs in 1 basket.
spend the $$ and run atleast 2.
I ran 2-15 amp for my 250 but its in my shop so ill ALWAYS be able to add another circuit if i needed it

[Tom R]

I use a Blue Planet Energy Meter purchased from Canadian Tire for about $20.00 to monitor the electrical load placed on a circuit and estimate the monthly cost incurred by an electrical item.

I originally bought it to monitor the electrical draw of my MH lights on a circuit as I was always concerned about over loading the circuit. We have all seen the the back of peoples tanks with 8 or 10 items plugged into a single wall circuit.

These thinks are really handy for the price.

Tom R

[Simons]

I have my saltwater tank on a dedicated 12 Amp circuit. Not sure 'two' separate ones are needed, if your power is out for example, it's out. I don't think your total load 'should' be more than 12 amps!

[whatcaneyedo]

Originally Posted by Simons

I have my saltwater tank on a dedicated 12 Amp circuit. Not sure 'two' separate ones are needed, if your power is out for example, it's out. I don't think your total load 'should' be more than 12 amps!

My logic is that its a good idea (building code) to have electrical devices that are exposed to water/moisture plugged into a GFCI receptacle. Unlike a regular breaker or fuse its pretty easy to trip a GFCI. So by splitting my water circulation pumps between two circuits I reduce the risk of my tank completely shutting down by 50% if there is some minor issue.