how much $$ to run MH

[uglyryder]

just wondering about what it cost to run 2 250 watt MH ran off of 2 magnetic ballasts

 

[jbird69]

Not sure about your neck of the woods, but were looking at about 7 cents/watt per month. That is based on about a 9hr photoperiod

That would be about $35/month

 

[rldavisou]

Best way to tell: Take your total electric bill, divide by the # of Kilowatt hours used (it should tell you). This is total price per Kwh. Now, figure up how many Kwh you'll use per month to run your bulbs. Multiply.

Hint: You'll use 4 Kwh per day if you're running both bulbs for 8 hours.

I run 510 watts for 8hrs a day and figure about 30/month. I live in OK, so energy is cheap.

Now, since you're running halides, what are you using to cool your tank? That energy needs to be accounted for as well.

 

[uglyryder]

sounds like i may start looking at t5's again..lol

 

[Anemonebuff]

On Long Island in NY I pay about $0.17 a KWH(Second highest rates in the country, next to Maui(go figure)). My tank all together is about $50 a month.

 

[RokleM]

Very simple. Your electrical bill (to find your rate), and http://www.reefcentral.com/calc/tank_elec_calc.php

 

[streetjudge79]

My bill went up $55.00 a month running 3 -250 watt MH and 2- 96 watt actinic PC's. Plus all the equipment,pumps,uv,etc.

 

[J.russell]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14186884#post14186884 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by uglyryder
sounds like i may start looking at t5's again..lol

500w is still 500w. Doesnt matter if its MH or T5s

 

[DOTZ]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14185833#post14185833 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jbird69
Not sure about your neck of the woods, but were looking at about 7 cents/watt per month. That is based on about a 9hr photoperiod

That would be about $35/month

It's cheaper that you think. This calculation is wrong it's only coming up to 9.45 for 2-250 watt halides ran for 9 hours a day at .07 a KW.

I run a 175 watt halide and at .12 KW and 8 hours a day only cost me 5.04 a month to run.

 

[Blazer88]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14185987#post14185987 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rldavisou
Now, since you're running halides, what are you using to cool your tank? That energy needs to be accounted for as well.

I've run halides for years and I have never used a chiller. A clip-on fan can go a long ways to keep a tank cool.

 

[jbird69]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14189897#post14189897 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DOTZ
It's cheaper that you think. This calculation is wrong it's only coming up to 9.45 for 2-250 watt halides ran for 9 hours a day at .07 a KW.

I run a 175 watt halide and at .12 KW and 8 hours a day only cost me 5.04 a month to run.

.07c X 500w = $35.00 Its a ballpark figure depending on the length of your photoperiod, This number was told to me by a local reefer with multiple tanks and lots of intense lightining. It is right in line with what I see on my billing statement.

I also totaly agree that it doesnt matter what kind of lights youre running. A watt is a watt.

 

[DOTZ]

yeah but 2 hours of 500 watts =1 kw so 500watts x 9 hours x 30days divided by 1000 x .07 equals what you will pay. It's alot cheaper. I had to do this same stuff for my final in my ELT classes.

 

[Laddy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14190029#post14190029 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Blazer88
I've run halides for years and I have never used a chiller. A clip-on fan can go a long ways to keep a tank cool.

Try that in Arizona in July :eek1:

 

[DOTZ]

1 KW= 1000 watts and your electric company charges by the KWH

 

[hotrodolds]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14190341#post14190341 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Laddy
Try that in Arizona in July :eek1:

is it just that no one outside of the southeast has central air or something? lol

I always see the outside temperatures referenced when chillers/heaters etc. come up. Everywhere I've ever lived has been a nice 72° year round inside.

 

[Blazer88]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14190341#post14190341 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Laddy
Try that in Arizona in July :eek1:

I've lived in Arizona and know that everyone down there has AC, so that shouldn't be an issue. In the summer here in WA, my house can easily get up to 80 inside and I've still never needed a chiller. Having MH lighting doesn't automatically equate to needing a chiller.

 

[J. Montgomery]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14190289#post14190289 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jbird69
.07c X 500w = $35.00 Its a ballpark figure depending on the length of your photoperiod, This number was told to me by a local reefer with multiple tanks and lots of intense lightining. It is right in line with what I see on my billing statement.

Luckily for us, ReefCentral provides an electric consumption calculator:
http://www.reefcentral.com/calc/tank_elec_calc.php

Just check your power bill to find out how much your power company charges per kWH. Then you don't have to depend on a local reefer that can't do math :lol:

 

[jbird69]

the local reefer happens to own a very successful coral business. His simple calculation was right on the money according to my power statement. Its obviously a simplified equation, but its accurate enough.

 

[hotrodolds]

Incase someone doesnt have a bill handy

http://www.jea.com/services/electric/rates_quarterly.asp