Approx monthly cost??

[RussR19146]

I am going to be purchasing a 125 gallon reef tank and was wondering how much it would cost a month to run in electricity and additives if needed.

So far the plan is to have the 125 gallon tank with a 40 gallon sump/refugium. Florescent lighting, pumps, protein skimmer and heater. (probably leaving something(s) out - early planning stages - hoping to have all equipment by early June)

So based on a basic set up what is an approximate cost per month?
I have not bought or really researched any of the equipment so I have no idea what wattage these would be so looking for a general estimate.

Is it $50.00 a month $75-$100.00

it looks like electricity here is $0.15 per KWH

Thanks for the information

Russ

 

[walkthedog]

http://www.reefcentral.com/calc/tank_elec_calc.php

just plug in Watts used on your equipment ....

 

[drparker]

If I knew then I could answer that question when the wife asks. I prefer, "I don't know can't be that much"

for my 75g I've got:
300watts of lights on 7hrs, 260 watts for 11hrs, 45watts for 16hrs
112 watts of pumps 24/7
Heater, don't know how often it runs?
Fans in the summer
Salt $30,
Food $40
2 part $7
Kalk $5
Then averaging test kits, carbon, GFO, replacement bulbs is another $81 a month.

So that's $163 plus electric.

That doesn't count new live stock, glue, epoxy, frag plugs and of course UPGRADES

Forgot to include water and RO/DI filters.

 

[RussR19146]

Wow - Maybe it is better not to know.....

 

[maxheadroom]

under $20 per month for 150 total gallons with 716W of light.


And


<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central RussR19146
</b></i></big></big>

 

[rgrobe]

I setup a brand new 180g reef in May 2008. I had estimated a few thousand dollars. There was the tank, plumbing and electrical, live rock, live sand, pumps, lighting, skimmer, sump/refugium, calcium reactor/C02 system, reactors for carbon and GFO, chiller (it is common to see temps in excess of 100*F in the summer), aquarium controller, fans, additives, new test kits, not to mention slowly adding my invertibrate livestock. I was lucky to have the fish from my 125 FOWLR to transfer. Now I am building custom oak cabinetry that will eventually make this tank look like an in-wall installation. It has all been part of a home remodel. By the time i'm done, if that ever happens, I will have well over $10,000.00 invested. I know it can be done for a lot less, I just never figured out how.

On top of everything else my monthly electric bill has increased about $100.

 

[litenyaup]

welcome, have fun with it!

 

[Alaskan Reefer]

I spend about $250 per month for maintaining my 125g. That's without frag buying.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

When you sit back and think about it... it is quite expensive!
But worth it

 

[firebirdcrzy]

my wife tells me this isn't a hobbie, it's an addiction. Once you start you can't stop, then you keep needing more and more (upgrades)
I am running 670 watts of lighting (halides,t-5) a chiller, 1 mag 7, 1 mag 12, 2 fans, and some other stuff aswell on my tank. I have noticed about a $60+- increase in electric bill a month.

 

[RussR19146]

I like this answer!

I like this answer!

Thanks everyone! - I am totally excited to start reef keeping!

I realize it is not inexpensive but i am going to try and keep it simple (read cheap as possible)

Thanks for the advice - I am sure I will be back for more.

Russ

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14759929#post14759929 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by maxheadroom
under $20 per month for 150 total gallons with 716W of light.


And


<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central RussR19146
</b></i></big></big>

 

[rickh]

my wife tells me this isn't a hobby, it's an addiction.

So True.
Most people collect things for a hobby. Guns, model trains, rare books, old cars--what ever.

If you lose you job, you could sell these things for cash. You could sell your tank for a fraction of it's cost and it would probably take a long time.

What if you have a personal tragedy. You or your wife get sick and your stupid-brother-in-law (sorry brother-in- laws) is responsible for your tank for 1 year while you are ill. All gone.

It's endless. If you have the typical tank with thousands of dollars of livestock you really need a chiller, generator, RO system, extra pump & PHs, salt mixing setup. The list gos on and on.

I have a 20 gallon Nano on my desk with easily several thousand dollars worth of coral. (see gallery) I swapped friends for a lot of it, but the cost at the LFS would be staggering.

Last year I was an old guy with money ready to retire. This year I am an older guy only 50% ready to retire.
I wouldn't start a big tank project in this economy.

 

[acrylic_300]

Dang, some of you are spending some cash.

If you use baking soda, pickling lime, and cheap calcium chloride...and a denitrator it is much cheaper.

I spend about 500 a year on my 300 gallon tank but most of that is bulbs and salt. (or maybe I'm tricking myself).