Tank power consumption experiment

[rodneyri]

Ive been running an experiment over the past few weeks to test out if a LED setup is cheaper to run than a T5 setup, im talking total running cost of the tank not just the lights. To do this ive ran my tank with a Power-mate meter to accurately capture the data. Power Mate 10A

Readings were captured over a one week period for each light setup, no equipment changes were made during the test.

Tank setup:
1400x750x550
Profilux controlled
300w heater
500A chiller
3xTunze 6106 pumps
Eheim 1262
Bubble Pioneer skimmer
Calcium Reactor

Test 1- GHL Mitras LED x3
LEDs run from 7am to 10pm (ramped up and down), max 80%
Power usage per quarter - 734kw


Test 2- ATI Hybrid Power module (8x54w T5 + 3x75w LED)
LEDs run from 7am to 10pm (ramped up and down), max 40%
4xT5 run for 10 hours
8xT5 run for 4hours
Power usage per quarter - 759kw


3.3% savings in power for my system per quarter

My observations
- chiller came on with T5 more often and for longer duration than LED setup
- heater came on more (esp night time) with the LED setup
- T5 setup had higher energy consumption during the day - during the time when all 8T5 bulbs were on
- LED had higher energy consumption than T5 at night due to heater coming on

 

[rizon25]

Interesting. It makes sense that the heater would be on more since the tank runs cooler. Great observation! I wish you had metal halides instead of t5's since that's what I'm running right now.

 

[don_chuwish]

How much would you expect this to vary seasonally? As we get into Spring here my heater is doing a lot less.
Are you planning to factor in bulb replacement costs for the ATI?
What were the up front costs of each? (Neither are 'budget' fixtures I know!)

- D

 

[CHSUB]

I recently switch my leds for a mh/t5 set-up...my electric bill went up $40 this month. chiller runs alot more and with bulb replacement the cost are significantly higher!!!! however, if you add in coral mortalities with leds its about even......

[/IMG]

 

[rodneyri]

This was purely about the total power usage of my systems so didn't consider cost of units , bulbs etc but they would play a part if you we trying to work out is it worth it.

 

[maynardjames]

thanks good info to know. i don`t keep any sps or lps now though i have kept lps in the past. would like to give it a shot. hope my T5 could do it in the upper levels. never had MH or LEDS other then 2 moonlights in my fixture

 

[petergriffin]

Also keep in mind this is specific to his area, plenty of variables internal/external temp of house heating and cooling in the house and so forth. I believe you pumps/skimmers use more power and can be reduced to a more effective level then changing lights in order to save money