Green Reefing

[hatfielj]

I think it would helpful to share advice on how to have the most energy efficient, environmentally friendly reefs possible. Not only would this be going a long way towards helping protect our natural reefs, but in this terrible economy it would SAVE MONEY.

So, if you have any innovative or creative ways to save energy on our tanks share your ideas here.

My own personal changes to be made will include:

-Upgrading my return pump to a red dragon that only uses 65 watts, instead of my large Iwaki that uses about 5 times that much!

-Programming my atinics to turn off when my halides are turned on. They really don't do much for the corals when the halides are on, so why not save the energy and just turn them off.

-Cooling the tank, I will try to make better use of evaporative cooling through an open top system with fans. This will hopefully reduce the amount of time my chiller has to kick in during the summer months.

 

[tbar]

This is a concern of mine. I recently traded my 2 x 250w MH's for 175's I'm not doing any SPS corals so why should I use they extra energy. I also changed my sump form under neath the DT to a roughneck on the side. I now have a return pump using 1/4 the power there as my other one had to be throttled back some as it was to much for my drain. Our power co. raised rates 18% recently and this month we had the largest bill ever. At least I know I have taken steps to conserve with the Aquarium which I think will keep my tank up and running many years longer then might have been. I know most people on here wouldn't think of such drastic measures. It irk's me to have a heater on in the tank and a fan blowing to keep things cool. At least I can unplug the heater in another month or two. I don't have a chiller and long ago shut the antics off when the MH's are on.

 

[monicaswizzle]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14358145#post14358145 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tbar
It irk's me to have a heater on in the tank and a fan blowing to keep things cool.

I may not understand your set up, so please forgive this comment if it isn't informed/helpful. It would seem odd to me to have both of those items actually on at the same time. The heater is almost certainly controlled by a thermostat, so it will not run when the tank is hot. Maybe your fans are just simply on or off and on hot days when you turn them on they run until the tank is cool enough that the heater kicks in. If you don't notice or are not around at the time, both could run at once, but that wouldn't be very common--at least I wouldn't think so.

Anyway, if that is the problem that irks you, it can be fixed by spending a bit of $ to purchase a control for the fans too. I bought a Ranco ETC (Electronic Temperature Control) that turns the fans ON only when the tank temp is above 81-degrees. Since my heater thermostat is set at 78-degrees (I know, low in most systems), the fans and heaters never run at the same time. Ranco makes an even more complex device that will run more than one item at more than one setting. I don't know how long you would have to run the Ranco (or similar unit) to get your investment back in power savings, but you could get "peace of mind" from the first minute on.

Anyway, great thread idea. I will check back to see what other tips I might pick up to reduce my rather enormous carbon "footprint".

 

[Carlton'sTank]

Is there a way to use solar energy? I don't know the specifics, but could you potentially buy solar cells and have two charging units. One that is charging while one is being used? I don't know how it would work with the plugs and what not, but I have thought about the idea and I may look into it a bit more because the weather here from April to October can be in the 80-105+ range with a good amount of sun. My grandfather is an electrician, so I will run some questions by him and get back to you.

 

[rishma]

If this thread gets going it could be very helpful. There are a ton of good energy saving ideas expressed in the various forums. I consider low power consumption a primary goal of my tank. It is part of the hobby for me. To be clear, I think keeping a reef tank at all it definitely not "green". I'll just respond in terms of being efficient.

I'll list a few things I have done to lower power consumption:
- good reflectors - you get more light for fewer watts
- Use lowest wattage highest PAR bulbs available.
- I use a lumen bright reflectors. I dont think they are the best reflector overall, but they allow me raise the lights well above the tank and minimize heat transfer to the water. No chiller required.
- Fans and Heater on a Ranco controller to closely control temp and minize engergy consumption.
- low wattage high quality pumps for return and circulation.
- Use gravity. 100% of the drain water goes directly through the recirc H&S skimmer with gravity feed. The skimmer outflow goes thought the refugium and into the sump.

Using solar tubes has become very popular. I am planning this for my prop tank. I dont use them on the display because I am not home in the day and would never see the tank lit up.

 

[hatfielj]

Good point rishma, The reefing hobby is definitely not green by definition because we are using so much energy for something that is simply asthetic/recreational, but you are right that we should be thinking in terms of making our tanks as energy efficient as possible.

Carlton's Tank: as mentioned the best way to use solar energy in our tanks would be to use solar tubes. If you have your tank in a spot where solar tubes are possible I would strongly look into it.
My tank unfortunately is located on the first floor of a building with people living above me, so there would be no practical way to have solar tubes.
But, for my next tank I plan on seriously considering them.
I wish I could afford the use of solar panels to help power my home and tank, but they are very expensive to install and I unfortunately can not afford to do that at this time.

Other advice/ideas?

 

[Lowredranger]

I always like reading all the energy saving threads. keep the info coming. I think the solar tubes are the best bang for the buck but many people are unable to incorporate it into there house.

 

[OwenInAZ]

I think a large part of inefficiency comes from a simple lack of planning. A lot of the time we see some new gadget and have to figure out how to retrofit it into our setup, often times having to employ extra pumps, etc. If we plan out from the beginning to use gravity (as mentioned above), plan out our cooling/heating strategy, etc, I think the small savings will add up. Also, strategic placement of powerheads in the tank can minimize the number needed and therefore power consumption.

 

[Whalehead9]

- +1 red dragon pumps
- use t-5's with good reflectors, instead of MH or PC's
- use bulk styrofoam around the base of the sump if you live in a cold climate.
- use penductors to increase flow without extra pumps

I have a client who has a 180 reef. went from over 900 watts of pc lighting to 200 t-5 lighting and switched out the mag drive for a red dragon with penductors.

from over 1100 watts with lights on to 385 with lights on, heater not included. That adds up over time.

 

[Carlton'sTank]

They are really trying to push the use of solar panels residentially here in CA. Our power is at a premium and there is even like a 30% govt sanctioned rebate on installation/panels. For the meantime I am going to seriously look into what it would take to have a small setup just for my fish tank. I know it will cost a bit out of pocket to get going, but it will pay for itself. I have a friend whos family is in the dairy industry, they started farming sun on about 5 acres of land and they collect methane from the cow poo. He was telling me how the meter runs backwards and they make nearly 80k a year off of power.

 

[wastememphis]

This is a good thread idea... Im trying to plan my 90gallon tank to be energy efficient... vortech pumps, aquacontroller to control fans/chiller/heater, gravity fed reticulating skimmer, t5's, etc...

What are some other low wattage external pumps? I never heard of the Royal Exclusiv Red Dragon pumps before this... too expensive for my blood, any alternitives?

 

[ludnix]

I have to question the real value of a red dragon pump. I'm using a mag 12 with about 1200gph at 110watts for $150. A red dragon 5 with 1360gph (closest match) at 60w is $484.

Assuming you're paying the higher tier of electricity at $0.40kwh then it would take at least 2 years to break even on the cost difference. Keep in mind this is in the one of the highest tiers of electricity, if you're only paying $0.20kwh then it's going to take 4 years to break even.

I'm not trying to say being energy efficient is futile or anything, just to be smart with investments that seem energy efficient, especially since one of the main points that attracts people to energy efficiency is saving money.

 

[wastememphis]

Exactally, Eric! The whole point for companies being green is to make smart investments to reduce their relyability on utilties and be more sustainable.

I'm going to be paying the price of a red dragon to buy a vortech but I feel its a different animal... open for ideas! I wish LED's were cheaper or I could use sun light tubes in my basement :/

 

[Thales]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14531699#post14531699 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ludnix
I have to question the real value of a red dragon pump. I'm using a mag 12 with about 1200gph at 110watts for $150. A red dragon 5 with 1360gph (closest match) at 60w is $484.

Assuming you're paying the higher tier of electricity at $0.40kwh then it would take at least 2 years to break even on the cost difference. Keep in mind this is in the one of the highest tiers of electricity, if you're only paying $0.20kwh then it's going to take 4 years to break even.

I'm not trying to say being energy efficient is futile or anything, just to be smart with investments that seem energy efficient, especially since one of the main points that attracts people to energy efficiency is saving money.

And don't forget the environmental impact of shipping, packing and disposing of the old pump. It seems that most often the downgraded pump is also sold and put right back into use.

 

[tbar]

Originally posted by monicaswizzle
"I may not understand your set up, so please forgive this comment if it isn't informed/helpful. It would seem odd to me to have both of those items actually on at the same time. The heater is almost certainly controlled by a thermostat, so it will not run when the tank is hot. Maybe your fans are just simply on or off and on hot days when you turn them on they run until the tank is cool enough that the heater kicks in. If you don't notice or are not around at the time, both could run at once, but that wouldn't be very common--at least I wouldn't think so."

That is what happens the fan is just plugged into the light timer so it always ran when the lights were on. The heater would be on to and they were working against each other. After posting in this thread I put the heater on a timer to operate two hours after the lights went off and shut off two hours before the lights came on and shut the fan off. Things worked well and the temp has stayed stable the last few weeks. It's getting ready to get warm in a day or two and I may have to unplug the heater all together which I do all summer long any way.

 

[Agu]

I'm a nano reefer so maybe my situation is different. I set up a 5.5 low impact/ low energy use tank as an experiment. All corals are captive propagated but that's not unusual.

Lighting is 6 X12" cold cathod fluoros. The consume about 21 watts of power and have an effective life of 50,000 hours. I have about eight more years before the bulbs need to be replaced. Flow is provided by a Rio 200 (yeah I know their reputation) that runs at 6 watts.

This tank runs on two power plugs and a 12 oz water change once a week. it's been up this way almost two years.

 

[Reefski's]

skylight
no chiller
raise tank temps
no skimmer(not yet but soon i think)

my 700 gallon tank is lit almost entirely by a skylight with reflective material like in a MH lining the shaft. someone above said that they work during the day and couldn't take advantage of solartubes. not true.

you can add a bit of light for evening viewing pleasure when you are home but have the sun do the real work. that is what i did. i have a light on in the evening until about 8:30 so we can enjoy the tank.

the skylight has already paid for itself in electricity, and hardware costs.

no chiller. evaporative cooling if needed which may not even be needed.

reverse daylight in garage sump area, helps even out temps and pH too.

i think most people run their tanks much cooler than needed or optimal for the corals. search out some of the work of Ron Shimek, et al, Eric Borneman also has info in his book about reef temps. Charlie Veron says ideal reef temp is about 81 degrees.

a daily fluctuation of several degrees in temp is ok. Eric says up to 85-86 during peak hours of the day is ok, dropping back at night. let it slowly rise over the weeks to get to the higher levels.

this alone can save a ton of money in the summer.

at my house i also put in a large solar photovoltaic system that will pay off in about 7 years and then be FREE electricity for many years to come!

i am working towards having enough biology with a large sump and ATS, algae turf scrubber, that soon i think i will be able to turn off the skimmer and save that electricity too.

gotta go eat dinner in front of the tank now before the light goes off.

 

[wastememphis]

Good ideas reefski! Could you post some pictures of your solar pannel set up/solar tubes? I'd be intrested in setting something like that up if I get another house.

 

[Reefski's]

sure
46, 215 watt Sharp solar panels
the 4x8' skylight is the one over the tank. we have eight other skylights in the house too.

here is the shaft that that you see above in the outside view with the skylight.

about a year ago

some lighting for evening viewing on a light rail

i am lucky to be in west Los Angeles with the mild summers and winters because of the moderating marine influence. i am just three miles from the ocean. our summer temps rarely get to 90 and winter rarely into the 40's.

last summer we had the AC on two days, winter heating a handful of days.

mostly we just open the windows for cooling.

 

[davenia7]

Reefski...
Thank you for the awesome pics. The skylight and tank are awesome. Have you thought about putting flipdown door panels to block the flashing/ aluminum foil??? above the tank. I think doing door panels with the tiles you have everywhere else would look amazing... but might be too heavy???
Also, I love the design of your living room... but the coffee table DOES NOT go with the rest of the room... (yes, I'm a girl...)
How bout this one??

LOL!!! J/K...
I chuckle when I see that thing on Ebay though.... Sooooo WRONG!!!