Enviro friendly landscapes

Me No Nemo

Me No Nemo

Premium Member
Just got this in and thought I'd post it up for anyone interested. U of F does an excellent job during these presentations.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Landscape for Spring the Florida-Friendly Way - 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

This Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Program Workshop will be held at the Longwood City Commission Chambers Chambers located at 175 Warren Avenue, Longwood, FL 32750. Attendees will receive valuable information and materials from the University of Florida/IFAS on selecting right plants, watering efficiently, fertilizing appropriately, and maintaining the landscape. This workshop is FREE. Please call Neta Villalobos-Bell at 407-665-5551 or email jvillalobosbell@ufl.edu to register.
 
Me No Nemo great info as well.

I'm wondering if someone could put together a eco friendly idea for Reef tanks. With the electricity consumption of lighting, chillers, and pumps reef keepers add a chunck of CO2. I think Orlando has a big solar project comming up. Makes me feel a little better about my consumption.
 
Could you elaborate a little bit on what you mean smpolyp? Like a guide to the most power-efficient components to a reef tank or ?

I've been blogging a little bit about the power and cost savings switching to LED lights but I have a few ideas up my sleeves about how to reuse or further utilize the tank stuff we all have sitting around (For example, they sell hair product that is dilute mixed salt water for hair styling, easily done at home with the right spritz bottle!)

When school is out maybe I can contribute
 
Everyone knows there is 1,000,001 ways to do an aquarium. No one single person knows it all. With the tech we have today I say we combine our knowledge and Chrisstie you have it a blog. Not just yours but everyone who is willing to contribute. I've been thinking about energy consumption for over 10 years now. One of the biggest energy saving I see is on flow or pumps. Normal aquarium pumps can use a bit of electric. After all they are being used 24/7 most of the time. So look at your type of pump and how it is used. A big energy hog is a pressure rated pump. Some can even make your chiller look like a tree hugger! Lighting racks up too. Do you really need those 400 watts. The list can go on.
 
check out Ted's thread (reefrubble) in the ANCHOR forum
he is trying out some new lighting trying to be cost and environmentally conscious

Gatorolsen
 
Great idea, Russell! I've been trying to track my energy bill since switching to the Solaris LED lights, but it's hard to come up with a comprehensive number since I more than doubled the tank size and added lots of new components. But, even with all the extras, and the higher price of energy since last year, my bills are still lower compared month to month from last year.

Another concern of mine is water waste with RO/DI units. I'm going to start a thread here...maybe we can share some ideas for utilizing the "waste" water used to produce the end result. Marcye
 
For that kind of waste water we use it to water plants but I know it could be used for a lot more. Again using it for laundry, hair products, coming up this summer I know many tank keepers have familys and perhaps are looking for a way to fill that kiddie pool you just snagged from Target.

I believe its drinkable as well, heck you could flush with it too.
 
Me No Nemo I use to be worried about an R.O./D.I. as well. I looked at using a resin sytem only. The problem is the cleaning agents used to recharge the system are more harmful to the enivironment than the waste. Other forms of water purification seemed to yield a high amount of cartridges that would add to the landfill. As I looked into it more I noticed the waste water was not as high as I previously thought. I think Chrisstie's idea of using the waste would be the best idea so far, but don't give up on finding a way to save in this area. One day that waste water will be a major issue. Unfortunately for now most of us cannot afford them. For those that can't I would say look at what you have now. Do you really need those 400 watts. Not according to some of the new light studies. Also some use halides and another form of lighting such as pc's or t 5's together. This can add 50% or more elctricity use on your lighting load. Not to mention the increase in the use of the chiller.
To add more to pumps usage I would say use a smaller return pump, but still give yourself atleast 5 times turn over. Then pack the system with prop pumps that are a no brainer on electricity to water flow ratio.
We have alot of good aquarist in our club. The more we work together the more possitive changes we can make.
 
I totally agree about not just 400W but halides themselves. They produce a lot of heat and when you do get into stronger wattage are really more than most corals need unless you have a very deep tank, then you're simulating more of the sun but even then proper reflectors and other lights can usually do the same job. Maybe they wont look the same but it will keep corals alive.

Also a properly ventilated room with the right lighting and electronics usually can lead to not needing a chiller. It all depends on the ambient temperature in the house (the house design itself too) etc but re-evaluating these things for current tanks and especially looking closely at future tanks to be set up can save a lot of money and a small chunk of our environment in the long run.

On a slightly related topic, I wish the Hummer vehicle never ever existed (except maybe for the military). Everytime I see one with its little tvs inside and all the stuff no one would have dreamed of maybe 50 years ago I want to scream. (or egg the car, but that'd be a waste of good eggs)
 
Ventalation another good point. Even a little fan can make a difference.

Propagating and trading frags can also make a big dent. No airplane sucking up uneeded fuel and another coral that dosen't need to be taken from the wild.
 
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