Something most seem to be forgetting in their calculations is that almost nobody runs LED's at the max rated power. I have a DIY fixture with 36 3 watt cree's. I am running it at 350/350/400mah on my 3 strings. I have tried bumping the power up 50-100 mah at a time but end up going back because I bleach corals. So my fixture that is supposed to use about 108 watts is in reality probably closer to 50 when u count in the driver losses. Another way to put that is I see twice the electrical savings I thought I would get.
drink a few less coffee and eat out less per month. that alone can easily save you $15-50 per month.
Alot of people keep saying go with LEDs. I've stated before, from my resource her on RC, the amount of LED's it would take to satisfy my tank would consume just enough electricity that I am already using."
That is a fair point, but considering very few people who have LEDs give us indications on what level would be optimal in various tank sizes, those of us who don't have them have to assume full intensity.
Dead solid wrong. This is really pretty easy to figure out. You're using over 1000w in electricity in just lighting, correct? 96 x 3w led's would use under 300w, and you could ditch the chiller to boot.
Sounds like your 'source' here on RC is misinformed.
If you go DIY you can save big over pre-made fixtures. Get 2 of these to start -> http://www.rapidled.com/servlet/the-57/48-Ultra-Premium-LED/Detail, and install them on 4 of these heat sinks -> http://www.rapidled.com/servlet/the-131/Drilled-and-Tapped-4.25"/Detail. The heatsinks are pre-drilled, and drilling/tapping is the most tedious part of the DIY. They even have solderless connectors now - which is a really nice option for those without soldering experience, and would allow for changing out individual stars if you wanted to experiment with adding a few different colors in the future. BUT - solderless connectors are 1.50 each, which would add another $150 to total cost. Not too bad, I guess.
Dead solid wrong. This is really pretty easy to figure out. You're using over 1000w in electricity in just lighting, correct? 96 x 3w led's would use under 300w, and you could ditch the chiller to boot.
Sounds like your 'source' here on RC is misinformed.
If you go DIY you can save big over pre-made fixtures. Get 2 of these to start -> http://www.rapidled.com/servlet/the-57/48-Ultra-Premium-LED/Detail, and install them on 4 of these heat sinks -> http://www.rapidled.com/servlet/the-131/Drilled-and-Tapped-4.25"/Detail. The heatsinks are pre-drilled, and drilling/tapping is the most tedious part of the DIY. They even have solderless connectors now - which is a really nice option for those without soldering experience, and would allow for changing out individual stars if you wanted to experiment with adding a few different colors in the future. BUT - solderless connectors are 1.50 each, which would add another $150 to total cost. Not too bad, I guess.
Man thats $850 in LED and $160 in heat sinks. Total of $1010 But the heat sinks are only 16'' long. How am I going to do that on a seven foot tank?
$31.92 a month is nothing. I thought the tank was using a lot more energy then that, but I was not sure how to do the math. Maybe I need to start pointing the figure at my wife on all the electricity used. Instead of her pointing at my tank. The washer and dryer are running every day. Summer here is very hot right now.
...Alot of great ideas, but (IMO) AC at 71 or 72 is way too low and wasteful...'air conditioned' air at 75*-79* is cool and very comfortable. And those few degrees make a BIG difference in your electric bill....turn the AC up to 71 or 72 and run ceiling fans...
...Alot of great ideas, but (IMO) AC at 71 or 72 is way too low and wasteful...'air conditioned' air at 75*-79* is cool and very comfortable. And those few degrees make a BIG difference in your electric bill.
My auto thermostats have my house at 79* when I get home, and you'd never guess the temp. It feels much cooler as you walk in the door.
As a business owner, I had to lock the thermostats, year round...because the people that kept turning the temp down to 60*in summer, were the same ones that tried to turn it to 90* in the winter.
IMO, 80* is 80*...in fact 80* may actually seem cooler in summer, because most people are wearing lighter clothing.
I'd bet that most, if not all family members, would not realize an extra degree or 2. TRY IT...I dare you!