Isla Escondido - invincible569's Rimless 300g

[invincible569]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10487514#post10487514 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
I really like how you made that chart. So tidy and clean. Was that in excel without the gridlines?

When you look at it it seems like nothing costs much, but if you actually combine the lights and fans together you get a realistic idea of what it costs to run your tank. I did this for my tank about two years ago, and it was about $80 a month without the window a/c unit. In the summer it was more like $110. Now that rates are higher, odds are I pay more. I'll have to do another survey of my gear.

Yes, it was in Excel. What I did to create the clean look was do a Print Preview, then ran a screenshot and cropped it. You can also save it as an HTML file and it will come out the same way.

The good thing about this is that now I can see where I can save money on reoccuring expenses. For example.. the Euro Reef Skimmer itself to run costs me $22/mo (sedra's & OR Pump). This makes me think about going internal on my skimmer with a less draw of a pump like the BK's. Its not a great savings since the skimmer probably costs 2-3x's more, but if you want to spend a lot of money now and pay little over time, that can be done as well. That was my idea for this tank in case something ever happened to me.. I wouldnt have to worry about paying high reoccuring costs.

 

[jnarowe]

can you explain how you came up with the numbers?

 

[mcrist]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10487410#post10487410 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
I'm about to add a third VorTech to my tank. And once that is done, I may take both of my old Streams and bury them behind the rockwork if possible to create even more random flow. Assuming I can fit those back there. I may just be a VorTech guy from this point forward.

I like the VorTech pump too and since they are manufactured in the town right next to me I can support a local business. I wrote them the other day and they said the wave controller should be out any day.

 

[invincible569]

jnarowe, it's a formula in the spreadsheet that does the calculations. You just plug in your watts, hours of the day it comes on, and find how much you are paying on your electric bill. Convert kWh to mwh and you get the number in yellow. Its very easy. If any of you want it, I can upload it to my BLOG so I wont have to babysit sending emails to everyone.

mcrist, thats good news. Im waiting for the wireless one.

 

[jnarowe]

well, come on now, help out a retard will ya? :lol:

 

[invincible569]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10488157#post10488157 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnarowe
well, come on now, help out a retard will ya? :lol:

Here you go! Let me know if it works for you. Just click on the link: http://invincible569.squarespace.com/power-usage/

 

[GSMguy]

so you like the vortech?

nice Tag

 

[jnarowe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10488232#post10488232 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by invincible569
Here you go! Let me know if it works for you. Just click on the link: http://invincible569.squarespace.com/power-usage/

very cool. I'll try it out when I have more brain bucks to work with.

Thanks! (although I am not sure I really want to know the outcome.)

 

[melev]

Cool. Now I can just update it with my own information and see what mine comes up with.

 

[mcrist]

I will update my excel chart and post too. I didn't think of sharing my costs to the world...

 

[invincible569]

GSM, I have only seen the Vortech in person and I really love the output it produces. I first saw it at naka's adn then I saw 2 at a LFS I visited this weekend and that just pushed me even more towards a Vortech. Having 2 in that tank made such a difference. Thanks for the compliment on the TAG.

jnarowe, I felt the same, but in the end, it was not as much as I thought.

Marc, you sure can. Let me know if it works for you.

mcrist, cant wait to see it. Honestly, its good to know all of this and share amongst each other. It steers us into the more economical equipment.

 

[reef / aholic]

"It is in my best interest to not add any powerheads to the aquarium as it's aestheticaly an eye sore".

I guess you gave into the VorTech!!!

 

[reef / aholic]

WOW!!!

cal 520ppm, alk - 12dkh and mag - 1560ppm

Please enlighten me???

 

[jnarowe]

I find when my alk gets that high I start losing montis.

 

[GSMguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10489102#post10489102 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnarowe
I find when my alk gets that high I start losing montis.

i think your Ca and MG need to be high as well

 

[jnarowe]

probably right. reefers running the papone method tend to run at high levels too.

 

[fishcraze2002]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10487613#post10487613 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by invincible569
Yes, it was in Excel. What I did to create the clean look was do a Print Preview, then ran a screenshot and cropped it. You can also save it as an HTML file and it will come out the same way.

The good thing about this is that now I can see where I can save money on reoccuring expenses. For example.. the Euro Reef Skimmer itself to run costs me $22/mo (sedra's & OR Pump). This makes me think about going internal on my skimmer with a less draw of a pump like the BK's. Its not a great savings since the skimmer probably costs 2-3x's more, but if you want to spend a lot of money now and pay little over time, that can be done as well. That was my idea for this tank in case something ever happened to me.. I wouldnt have to worry about paying high reoccuring costs.

Edward, yeah the skimmer pump can cost quite a bit when it runs 24hrs. That's why I run my skimmer pump (mag 18) only 12hs a day during summer and this also helps reduce the heat input to the tank, saving my chiller energy.
The BK is good on low energy pump but it will take A LOT of MONTHS of $22 savings to justify the cost of a BK unless they are super super better than a regular skimmer

 

[invincible569]

Robolton, you can definitely quote me on what I said about powerheads. Sometimes function over aesthetics wins in order to get the best out of your livestock. I've been thinking about the Vortech and how I could make this as clean as possible. I've thought about putting it on the back wall which will look hidden because of the black on black but unsure if it will fit. In order to get the best out of my SPS rock, I need to give them super flow.

As for the high water parameters, I started off this way when I set my tank up in order to make the transition from natural to the BroGri Italian method. Drastic changes create consequences to the corals, therefore the paramaters have been consistently high during the startup phase. I have had no problems at all. Stability is key.

jnarowe, my first coral was a monti undata and it has done very well so far. It has colored up well and grown. I have some new montis so I will let you know how it goes.

fishcraze, I like your idea about leaving it off half of the day. That would definitely cut the cost down in half. Im not sure how my corals would react since PH and 02 levels may change. This would also leave me at risk if the power goes at the end of that OFF cycle. I still like the idea.

 

[GSMguy]

lets see growth shots on those sps

 

[jnarowe]

the Vortechs will get covered with coraline algae quite quickly, especially at those params. You may be able to use them behind rocks, but since you have 3 viewable sides, that will be difficult. Maybe have to go with Tunze rocks, but then again you have the wires issue. Also, Vortechs do get hot so keep that in mind...with little space between the tank and the wall, you might have heat issues.