Energy Efficiency with BIG Tanks

[huskerreef]

I currently have a 1000 gallon sump (6'widex12'longx2'deep)with a 240 gallon(2'wx6'longx31" deep) running in series. I am looking for some energy conservation ideas. Currently heres what i power
1- 1HP pump runs whole system
3- 400w MH(display)
1- 1000W MH(sump)
1- 1000w heater
1- 1/5 hp Chiller
1- Mag36 Closed loop
1- ASM G6 with three sedra 9000
1- Mag 24 for the chiller (runs a long way to the chiller)
1- Tunze stream
1- High output 150watt

As it sits the sytem works and everything is healthy and growing and looking great. I am looking for some ideas on how to cut my power consumption. Has anyone tried solar for electricity? are there high effeciency products out there that would actually make a noticeable difference? Or do I just have to exept that my electricy bill will run $350 plus each month. Would reducing my wattage on lights help? say going with 4-250 MH on the display and 2- 400 Watts on the lagoon? that is a net reduction of 400 watts. or does that not make a difference on power usage.

 

[46bfinGA]

you could run your light ballasts on 220volts.if an electrical panel is easily accessible,you could run a couple new wires to your fish room.you may need to buy new ballasts unless the ones you are currently using will run on 220/240 volts.that will save you quite a bit.
i can help you out on the ballast if you need them,i will beat any price you can find.i have them in my garage.just depends on what route you want to take.the ballasts i have can be installed 120 volts or 220/240.running 220/240 will save you half in electrical consumption.giving you the option of either keeping the same wattage or downsizing to 250's or 400's to further cut your power consumption.

 

[46bfinGA]

replacing your mag 36 and 24 with a more efficient pump will help.again you could replace those with 240 volt pumps.im not sure on the cost difference between equipment that will run on 240.but i couldnt imagine it would be much.im moving in the next couple months to a larger house with a full basement,and will be going thru the same situation as you.am going to be upgrading my fowlr to a 8-900 gallon system.im going to start researching on what my options are on the most efficient setup i can come up with.i hope to get some good info from this.

 

[Fiziksgeek]

I would think you would be able to go down to 3x250W MH in lumenarc mini or lumenmax reflectors for the tank, and 2x400W in full size lumenarc reflectors for the sump.

savings: ~650W

I would replace the mag 36 on the closed loop for a sequence dart.

savings: ~200W

If the Mag 24 running the chiller is in a high head situation, a pressure rated pump like a pan world or iwaki might work better.

You also said there is a 1hp pump running the whole thing?? what is the pump actually used for? Main return? I bet you can save some watts there also.

Changing to 220/240V wont really save you much. In general, you will draw half the amps, but twice the volts, so watts work out the same. However, some components have been known to run a bit more efficiently on a 220 line, but I dont think you will see big savings this way. I would look at the lights and pumps first.

 

[Cuervo]

I've seen a couple threads in the DIY forum on this topic lately. They recommend looking at the things that run 24/7 first, especially that beefy main feed pump. The lights sound like they draw alot of power, but considering they're only on less than 12 hr per day, changing them has a smaller impact in the big picture.

I've noticed a trend in going with smaller feed pumps and adding in some energy efficient powerheads to the tank to keep the circulation up.

 

[huskerreef]

the big pump is the main return.

 

[Fiziksgeek]

How much flow are you getting from the main return???

I would guess you can downsize the return quite a bit, and use more streams for flow in the display.

 

[huskerreef]

I believe it is something like 8000gph, it is a pool pump and when I bought it that was what we calculated it at. I do have a tunze stream in the display. could i add another and several in the 1000 gallon and reduce my main pump? i thought we were so big on turns so i figure bigger is better right. or can i accompish the same thing with streams?

 

[reefez]

I would take that Mag drive off line. And downsize the wattage on the bulbs for sure. Excellent advice in here. I'll have to employ some myself in the future.

 

[Fiziksgeek]

I would definitely look at replacing the big return pump. As a guide, many people shoot for 3-5x turn over in the display from the return pump. So look for a pump sized to pump around 1000gph for the main return. For flow, you can either drill the tank for additional closed loop, or use tunze streams. Either is a much more efficient option.

Take care to do a good study on all the components you can possibly replace. You may be saving yourself a decent amount per month on the electric bill, but buying new pumps, ballast and bulbs, tunze streams etc is all very expensive. In the long run, it might cost you more to replace a bunch of equipment even though its saving you some money monthly.

Like Cuervo mentioned, go after the power hungry components that run 24/7, that means pumps. Your return and the Mags. Lighting is a secondary option.

 

[yznhmr]

i switched from a Sequence 1000 pump (1/4)hp to a genxmak4 for my return pump..

oh by the way i added 4 tunze and a wave box to the main display..

still more efficient in my opinion.. but i havent doent the math..

 

[sfsuphysics]

What currently is in the sump that requires it to be lit? If it's some sort of frag grow out area or refugium can't you partition off that part with egg crate and just put a 250 over it or something?

Another things to look into is lowering those return pumps, how much water do you need circulating between the two tanks? You might want cut back on the wattage on those, and go with more tunze streams if you need circulation within the area.

Solar is an option, but remember there's something like a 10-15 year buy back (when you get your money back) on solar panels (depending upon your area) you're still paying for that electricity, you just paid for the next 10 years worth all upfront.

Regardless of what you do, need to do the math on the cost of the equipment to see how long it'll cost to pay itself off, sure you'll drop a few hundred watts by going with tunze streams, but how long will it take to pay for that much electricity?