I was going to say the same thingGuess how much it might cost, then add a zero to the end of the number.
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I was going to say the same thingGuess how much it might cost, then add a zero to the end of the number.
Let's be honest you wouldn't buy a Ferrari unless you knew you could maintain it . Personally if you feeling like this now just get a 300 gallon or somethingFigured I'd get a comment like this. Please refer to my last paragraph. From a financially responsible view point, running a large tank is a big undertaking. I'm sure your comment is in good fun, but realistically, you wouldn't buy a Ferrari without first knowing the cost to maintain it.
how many watts will the heater be running at?I'm looking into planning a large aquarium build. The smallest I'd like to go is 400 gallons and potentially all the way up to around 1200-1500 gallons. What very well could be the limiting factor however, isn't the actual volume of water. I'm thinking my limiting factor will be running cost. I'm not worried about equipment cost and startup costs, as I can always DIY, buy used, or save up. That does no good though, if in the end, I get everything up and running just to find out that my pocketbook isn't up to the task of supporting that large of a tank let alone enough of a budget left over afterwards to actually put a living animal in the tank. So being one that likes to research and plan things out, that brings me to the question of, how does one calculate running costs of a large tank?
Of course you have consumables like salt, filter socks, filters, light bulbs, ect, all of which are fixed enough to at least calculate based on water volume, water change plan, and length of running time. But then you have things like, calcium dosing, alk dosing, that are all variable tank to tank. You've also got your literal consumables, all your fish food, how does one at least come up with a rough cost estimate for all of these?
Then there is power. Again, you've got the easy things to calculate like return pumps, powerheads, skimmer, ect. Using wattage and estimated run time you can figure out running costs that way. But how does one calculate the cost to actually heat such a volume of water? Figure out the ambient temperature difference vs the desired temp, then somehow figure out the thermal heat transfer efficiency of whatever heating method I go with? Is that even possible? Or what about humidity control, on large tanks humidity is always a concern and we all know it sure costs enough to keep our house comfortable, let alone having several hundred gallons of water to worry about as well.
I understand for a small tank, running costs are just part of owning a tank, and if you're worried about the running costs there that you've probably chosen the wrong hobby. However, I have got to imagine that at some point there has to be some kind of regard and planning to upkeep costs in relationship to the size of the tank. I mean, some of the large tanks home to Reef2Reef have got to cost several hundred if not thousands of dollars a month to maintain and keep running. I personally just want to figure out where my limit is BEFORE I go through the trouble of planning a tank that ends up being too large for me, er.. my wallet to support.
If I keep my home at 77F, I am uncomfortably hot and my tank still needs electric heat (with evaporation, water will always be below room temperature). Regardless of your HVAC efficiency, you are going to either pay to cool your house or heat your water unless you can tolerate 90F year round.Alot of your cost is going to come into play with how much manual work are you willing to do and the status of your home. There are lots of shortcuts that cost money that manual work can do. I can tell you that you live in a fairly affordable from an energy standpoint, area of the US and that will come into your benefit. I have 3 aquariums running full time in my home at the moment. One is a 60g reef tank, one is a 180g fowlr and one is a 125 freshwater. The majority of my energy cost comes from the heaters and the lights. Energy efficiency of your home is crucial in this aspect. How well your HVAC system heats and cools your home and how well insulated your home is will be the biggest cost to heating/cooling the aquarium water. Your cost goes up and labor goes up for the reef tank, due to testing and more media replacement. If you split the difference for something like a 600 gallon, your energy costs alone regarding, pumps, powerheads, heaters and lights would probably run you around 150-200 dollars a month. Not counting salt or water or supplies. If your home is newer or well insulated, this cost could be cut up to potentially another 30% or more. My home finished construction in 2021 and has spray foam insulation. My energy costs are not nearly what they were in my older home built in the 80s. There is so much that goes into cost of keeping a large aquarium running besides just the tank and its equipment. Your home is a huge factor in this, along with where its placed in your home. Out side wall, verses not in a room without an exterior wall, what humidity do you want to keep your home at? With a tank 350 gallons plus you will need a dehumidifier in alot of cases, also another energy cost. There are so many variables that will influence the cost of running a tank that large that have nothing to do with the tank itself. I know you wanted numbers and im just trying to help you see the other things that will influence this endeavor.
End game is that if you want to do it, than do it. You have to chart out your own cost, we can't do that for you. I merely pointed out that electricity is the single biggest cost in MY situation, yours may be totally different.
Please post a pic of the tankI have a 750g display part of a 1500g system. My system is different in that the display tank is the only part of the system in doors. My heating costs in the winter are ridiculous.
But I have to say, if you are thinking you are limited by budget, your success is going to be limited as well. Once you get your budgeted reef up and running, you can't put it on pause when it needs something till you can afford it. Ordering food for 1000+ g of fish might be $500+ every other month. I have a service that delivers 50lb CO2 tanks every 6 weeks. I have a service that delivers tanks of DI Resin for the RO System every 6 months. When you need to buy salt, you are buying 6-10 cases at a time. A 200g box of salt is nothing for 1500g system.
I have a 4k gpd RO System - The filters and membranes are much cheaper to run than a standard residential RO system, but their initial cost and replacement cost is substantially higher.
Plus you need a spare of every piece of equipment on hand. When your return pump fails you don't have time for Amazon to deliver a new pump. When your heater fails, you don't have time for Amazon to send you more.
And even with replacements on hand - So a pump fails and you swap it out - You still need to purchase a new replacement.
There is also something to be said for the initial investment cost. To use as a bad example buying a Ferrari. Do you buy an older Ferrari and hope the maintenance costs are 'average' or do you spend the money for a new Ferrari and not worry about things like electrical systems, rubber bushings, old hoses, etc.
I've purchased some of the best equipment available on the market for my system. I run a pair of Abyzz Pumps, I run Panta Rhei Hydrowizard, a Bubble King, A Dastaco, a 4k gpd RO system, Highly customized automation, and MRC Roller Mat, and a pair of commercial 220v 4000w Titanium heaters. With my system my record is walking away from the system for 10 weeks and only having to visit it once to change a CO2 tank at 6 weeks. After that experience I moved from 20lb CO2 tanks to 50lb. And now in the event of an emergency the tank is capable of 2 months of untouched running.
You don't have to buy the most expensive named corals to have a huge financial investment in filling even a 400g tank with life. You can't risk that kind of investment in budgeting for the most cost effective pump, heater, light, etc. An Abyzz may seem like a grandiose expense. But is a $3k pump really that much considering the value of livestock in a well packed 125g tank.
If you're trying to guess what your costs are going to be that's one thing. But if you are trying to budget for those expenses, because that's what you can afford, then you are in a little over your head. Scrap the Ferrari and buy a used Mustang GT. (Not bashing the Mustang in any way).
Some months I may only spend $200 on food (Not including utilities). But then other months might be $3k.
Dave B
100%You can be frustrated all you want, but that's going to be the same answer from many of us. Reefing IMHO is treated like a hobby to me. If I'm interested in something, I do it. There is a limitation to the cost In willing to put in, but only I know my situation and I know my limitations (financial or otherwise). What I do know from a few decades of running my own tanks, whatever you estimate cost wise, it's usually higher than that and to be prepared for the situation as it arises.
End game is that if you want to do it, than do it. You have to chart out your own cost, we can't do that for you. I merely pointed out that electricity is the single biggest cost in MY situation, yours may be totally different.
So being one that likes to research and plan things out.I'm looking into planning a large aquarium build. The smallest I'd like to go is 400 gallons and potentially all the way up to around 1200-1500 gallons. What very well could be the limiting factor however, isn't the actual volume of water. I'm thinking my limiting factor will be running cost. I'm not worried about equipment cost and startup costs, as I can always DIY, buy used, or save up. That does no good though, if in the end, I get everything up and running just to find out that my pocketbook isn't up to the task of supporting that large of a tank let alone enough of a budget left over afterwards to actually put a living animal in the tank. So being one that likes to research and plan things out, that brings me to the question of, how does one calculate running costs of a large tank?
Of course you have consumables like salt, filter socks, filters, light bulbs, ect, all of which are fixed enough to at least calculate based on water volume, water change plan, and length of running time. But then you have things like, calcium dosing, alk dosing, that are all variable tank to tank. You've also got your literal consumables, all your fish food, how does one at least come up with a rough cost estimate for all of these?
Then there is power. Again, you've got the easy things to calculate like return pumps, powerheads, skimmer, ect. Using wattage and estimated run time you can figure out running costs that way. But how does one calculate the cost to actually heat such a volume of water? Figure out the ambient temperature difference vs the desired temp, then somehow figure out the thermal heat transfer efficiency of whatever heating method I go with? Is that even possible? Or what about humidity control, on large tanks humidity is always a concern and we all know it sure costs enough to keep our house comfortable, let alone having several hundred gallons of water to worry about as well.
I understand for a small tank, running costs are just part of owning a tank, and if you're worried about the running costs there that you've probably chosen the wrong hobby. However, I have got to imagine that at some point there has to be some kind of regard and planning to upkeep costs in relationship to the size of the tank. I mean, some of the large tanks home to Reef2Reef have got to cost several hundred if not thousands of dollars a month to maintain and keep running. I personally just want to figure out where my limit is BEFORE I go through the trouble of planning a tank that ends up being too large for me, er.. my wallet to support.
You can watch the tank live at o2manyfish.com - The 750g has only been wet for a month, and after 2 major accidents in March we were starting from pretty much nothing. But if you goto youtube and search o2manyfish you can find videos of my previous 560g, 400g and the filter wall that supports the 1500g system.Please post a pic of the tank
It true thoughSee that first sentence has me frustrated because I feel like that’s the only answer you get to this question. (No offense) it’s a stupid answer, because how can any responsible adult just brush such a significant cost under the rug? A car guy doesn’t just go, we’ll if I’m worried about the cost of premium gas I guess I better not buy a car. They plan accordingly and buy a vehicle they can afford.
to your second point, that is exactly my question. With so many different variables, how can you even estimate something like heating costs. There has got to be a way to get at least a rough number based on how much water you have to heat versus the number of degrees above ambient temperature you need to heat it.