Wasn't sure where to post this? This is all based on equipment there was tons running my saltwater system.
Well saltwater system has been shut down for several months now. Got a bill finally with no tank hydro usage on it and it was dramatically less. Without going into to all the dollars and cents it was substantial enough that we do not have to move. After moving and taking on higher rent excepting less hydro it was decision time and the tank had to go... :-( So the bill is 1/4 what it was almost the rate change killed me.
Dan I feel for you. I remember your previous home filled with tanks... and the electricity must have been running then too.
Do you have any tanks left? Are you officially out of the hobby now? If so, sorry to see you go; you were (and still are) a great guy in OVAS.
zero tanks running... :-( just stuff for sale... :-(
Dan, it's got to hurt. I know you love the water world. If there's anything I can help with.....
Your help with advice, fish and plants was terrific when I got back into the hobby.
I hope you get something up and running. Otherwise, you're going to go nuts.
Hank
I can certainly understand the issue with electricity costs when money is an issue. I consider my tanks my hobby, and considering I don't , for example, golf, smoke, drink, etc., I feel that I can justify my aquatic expenses :)
I hope you can set yourself up a low expense tank, say a coldwater tank.
TANKz Hank... maybe down the road a FOWLR or go back to f/w. FOWLR can be a big $$$ saver. I still have the tank, sump, stand, power heads & skimmer plus other bits and pieces. Could do all DIY or Macro rock with some sort of basic substrate. Run lower SG & temp too. Sold the light but could get a cheapo LED fixture just for viewing. Also do less WCs so less salt. It was my decision but the wife does kind of like the idea of being tankless so likely some convincing there too.
Yes it is a hobby. To me it is living art I keep my tanks spotless and top health always. My tanks to me highlight a room. Yes same for me I too do not smoke, drink or do any other stuff... ;-) so it was easy to justify the expense but was hurting us so had to make the tough call a tighten up my big boy pants.
There is also the f/w path again very much love that side too! It would be an awesome setup the over flow is a V style C2C with a 30g sump could convert it to wet/dry filter so no need for buying much except a light and substrate but that is simple enough - can you say Merkley & Home Depot? LOL
Either way the rate change killed me and my dream but down the road will have to have something up & running.
Quote from: dan2x38 on January 01, 2012, 08:51:02 PM
Either way the rate change killed me and my dream but down the road will have to have something up & running.
What's ironic is that the guy from Ottawa Hydro told us, when he came to install the new fancy computerized temp control panel, that this results in $$$ savings. My wife has already called hydro wondering how the heck our bills are up. Like magic our bills went noticeably higher. I'm still scratchin' my head trying to figure out how we're supposed to be saving with those changes. Now I'm doing my own changes trying to make savings happen... not very aquarium friendly changes.
Hi Dan - so glad that you don't have to move! Hope you'll stick around, tankless or not.
Best,
Laura
Quote from: HappyGuppy on January 02, 2012, 11:21:43 AM
What's ironic is that the guy from Ottawa Hydro told us, when he came to install the new fancy computerized temp control panel, that this results in $$$ savings. My wife has already called hydro wondering how the heck our bills are up. Like magic our bills went noticeably higher. I'm still scratchin' my head trying to figure out how we're supposed to be saving with those changes. Now I'm doing my own changes trying to make savings happen... not very aquarium friendly changes.
Yeah...that's just giving a large energy company WAY too much control. We didn't get one.
Who else thinks the winter rate schedule is 100% consumer gouging? What's the point to having the most expensive energy when people NEED to use the energy? The summer schedule made more sense to me.
hey Dan I have a 5G Marineland bowfront you can have cheap ;)
Quote from: Brine on January 02, 2012, 05:19:27 PM
hey Dan I have a 5G Marineland bowfront you can have cheap ;)
If I can't have a bigger setup 30 or larger will stay tankless... ;-) not thankless - Thanks!
Quote from: Fishnut on January 02, 2012, 03:17:56 PMWhat's the point to having the most expensive energy when people NEED to use the energy?
The most expensive is intentionally when it's used most, to encourage people to shift their optional usage to different periods in an attempt to lower the peak demand. In the summer peak demand is during the day, not mornings/evenings.
More importantly, Dan - how's the dog?!?!