Water bills woes...

[FlyingChicken]

Had just upgraded from a 2ft to 4ft tank...water bill shot up sky high. Due to contamination during tank cycling, I had change twice 100% of the water within a short timespan of 2wks. I wonder how does those with 5ft++ tank cope with it? They are the rich kids maybe....

[Simon]

you can always collect rain water?
Its only natural that the bill will increase and its always the case
as one seek larger tanks in this hobby.

[vinz]

Assumptions:
- your tank is 120cmx60cmx60cm, per 100% water change is 0.432 cubic meters of water.
- your normal household consumption has already exceeded 40 cubic meters, and hence subject to $1.40 per cubic meters of water, 45% water conservation tax and $0.30 per cubic meter waterborne fee.

Per 100% water change,
= $((0.432 x 1.40 x 1.45) + (0.432 x 0.30))
= $1.00656
= $1.01

I think it's not the water... it's probably the electricity. More lights, fans and bigger filter.

Electricity bill goes by kWh (kilowatt-hour) at a cost of $0.1826 per kWh.

To calculater kWh, take the total wattage of the electrical appliance and multiply by the number of hours it runs per month and divide by 1000.

For example, if you are running 6x36W of PL lights on your tank for 12 hrs daily:

kWh = (6 x 36W x 12hrs x 30days) / 1000
= 77.76
Monthly cost = $14.20

Assuming you're using a Eheim 2026 or 2028 which are rated at 25W:
Monthly cost = ((25W x 24hrs x 30days) / 1000) * $0.1826 = $3.29

Note: Do not calculate chillers like this. They do not run full power 24hrs a day. For chillers, you have to estimate how often it runs, and how long it runs each time, per day. If it runs only 15mins every 1hr 45mins, then in total, per day it runs only (12 x 15) mins.

Oh yah, links: Water rates and electricity rates.

[rock]

Had just upgraded from a 2ft to 4ft tank...water bill shot up sky high. Due to contamination during tank cycling, I had change twice 100% of the water within a short timespan of 2wks. I wonder how does those with 5ft++ tank cope with it? They are the rich kids maybe....

Hey...I dont think your water bill shot up just because of doing a few water changes....unless you have 5 or 6 footer tanks and you do 100% water change every day...

Check electrical usage....this one bigger consumer.

[juggler]

Had just upgraded from a 2ft to 4ft tank...water bill shot up sky high. Due to contamination during tank cycling, I had change twice 100% of the water within a short timespan of 2wks. I wonder how does those with 5ft++ tank cope with it? They are the rich kids maybe....

I think not possible for water bill to be "sky high".

Our water utilities rates quoted a price of $1.17 per 1000L, plus 30% tax. i.e. $1.52 per 1000L.

Say your tank is 4x2x2, the total volume will be about 450L. Changing 100% twice is still less than 1000L. So the water bill shouldn't exceed $1.52 based on our calculations -- still less than a plate of chicken rice.

It is the electricity that is the killer. Do a comparison of your utility bills and see. Probably due to your increased lighting.

PS: Although water seems affordable, try to conserve and recycle it. eg. by watering your plants with fish tank water. Water your neighbour's plants too.

Cheers!

[vinz]

Or flush toilet.

[mordrake]

yep, agree with the bros.
the electricity bill is the one that'll kill you if you have a big tank.
my 6ft's (with mh & chiller) electricity cost is really getting to me... hitting >sg60 a month. although that includes house aircon, water heater etc, the chiller and mh would account for the majority of it.

[FlyingChicken]

Assumptions:
- your tank is 120cmx60cmx60cm, per 100% water change is 0.432 cubic meters of water.
- your normal household consumption has already exceeded 40 cubic meters, and hence subject to $1.40 per cubic meters of water, 45% water conservation tax and $0.30 per cubic meter waterborne fee.

Per 100% water change,
= $((0.432 x 1.40 x 1.45) + (0.432 x 0.30))
= $1.00656
= $1.01

I think it's not the water... it's probably the electricity. More lights, fans and bigger filter.

Electricity bill goes by kWh (kilowatt-hour) at a cost of $0.1826 per kWh.

To calculater kWh, take the total wattage of the electrical appliance and multiply by the number of hours it runs per month and divide by 1000.

For example, if you are running 6x36W of PL lights on your tank for 12 hrs daily:

kWh = (6 x 36W x 12hrs x 30days) / 1000
= 77.76
Monthly cost = $14.20

Assuming you're using a Eheim 2026 or 2028 which are rated at 25W:
Monthly cost = ((25W x 24hrs x 30days) / 1000) * $0.1826 = $3.29

Note: Do not calculate chillers like this. They do not run full power 24hrs a day. For chillers, you have to estimate how often it runs, and how long it runs each time, per day. If it runs only 15mins every 1hr 45mins, then in total, per day it runs only (12 x 15) mins.

Oh yah, links: Water rates and electricity rates.

woah! Is that true? $1.01 IS definitely not sky high for me! I guess you guys are right, maybe it's my magum PL tube that's causing the rising in the bills, I'll look into it...