Budgeting to maintaining the cost yearly...

Discussion in 'General Reef Topics' started by libog2fish, May 15, 2011.

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  1. Powerman

    Powerman Giant Squid

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    Colorado
    Just because you don't notice, does not mean it is free. It's probably $10-$20 a month... that is still another $120-$240 a year. Carbon adds up, phoshate removal adds up.

    For power, water, salt, cal/alk/mg, food, carbon, GFO, bulbs, livestock, just because... and some extra money thrown in because I will always buy extras... I was at $120 a month averaged yearly for a 90g SPS tank. It was accurate and realistic.
     
    Powerman, May 15, 2011
    Powerman, May 15, 2011
    #11

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  2. libog2fish

    libog2fish Fire Shrimp

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    thats you though not me....
     
    libog2fish, May 15, 2011
    libog2fish, May 15, 2011
    #12
  3. Powerman

    Powerman Giant Squid

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    You asked... I answered. :confused:
     
    Powerman, May 15, 2011
    Powerman, May 15, 2011
    #13
  4. libog2fish

    libog2fish Fire Shrimp

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    leave it at that anyone else care to share thier budget on maintaing thier reef...
     
    libog2fish, May 16, 2011
    libog2fish, May 16, 2011
    #14
  5. GoToSleep

    GoToSleep Torch Coral

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    Jul 6, 2008
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    Central Virginia
    I dont't keep close tabs on it but my biggest recurring expenses are 1) bulbs (4 72" VHO's, 4 400w MH's, a 250w MH) and 2) electricity (see #1). I think bulbs probably run over $1000 a year and electricity may be about the same. After those, everything else is negligible except for the occasional disaster.
     
    GoToSleep, May 16, 2011
    GoToSleep, May 16, 2011
    #15
  6. shoebox

    shoebox Bubble Tip Anemone

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    Jan 23, 2011
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    Well the way I look at it we started this hobby knowing that it wasn't going to to be free. And to budget for something that is for ever evolving is like trying to hold sand in your hand. There other options. I think an Ant farm runs a little cheaper per month.;D
     
    shoebox, May 16, 2011
    shoebox, May 16, 2011
    #16

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  7. AZDesertRat

    AZDesertRat Giant Squid

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    Jul 30, 2009
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    Location:
    Phoenix AZ
    RO flush kits are a waste of money and all the ydo is lighten your wallet and give you a warm fuzzy feeling. There is no documented study or proof they do anything.

    I bought a Kill A Watt meter and have been monitoring my electrical consumption on everything in my house and calculating the costs to run individual pieces. I found my 2x250w MH lights cost $35 a month alone by themselves to run 8-10 hours a day. That does not include the fans to cool the tank because of the heat or the water that evaporates as a result.
    Last week I switched to two AI Sol Blue LED fixtures and the watts consumed went from 500 down to 49 watts with the LEDs at 45% power. Thats a savings of $31.50 a month for lighting alone. Yes the LED was expensive to purchase but I sold the MH/VHO I had for $200 and with the electical savings and the annual bulb replacement savings I am at a 16 month payback maximum. Wise investment in my book
     
    AZDesertRat, May 16, 2011
    AZDesertRat, May 16, 2011
    #17
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