coreefer and others with 120s
 

if you dont mind me asking, how much is your electric bill?

im getting a 120 and trying to budget in the cost of mh and such for a 120

Mine runs me around 65 extra a month but im in Castle Rock not sure what your KWs cost in the springs

I really couldn't tell you...I've never really sat down and tried to determine this.

ok =(

i asked you specifically because

"120g reef tank,40g sump, 4x150wHQI's, mainly SPS"


thats oddly the same tank i want
:fun5:

yeah...I just don't even have a ballpark. Perhaps a guy like Russ who works with electricty can give you a guideline.

Determine how much CS utilities charge per KW. It will be on your utility bill. Then use this electrical calculator

Well, if you want SPS, you need to pay the electrical piper.

Wouldn't 2 250's use less electricity? I don't know for sure, but maybe Russ will know.

2 250s will draw less than 4 150s depending on the ballast.

hmmmmmm 4 x 150 = 600, 2 x 250 = 500 and Todd is an engineer ;=P

The wattage of the bulbs does not necessarily equal the power consumed. Don't forget that the power supplies lose energy as heat too. Power consumption of a 150W ballast can be higher than the 150W the bulb itself uses.

If you want to calculate your power consumption, take all the accessories you are going to be running and add them up. X that by how many hours a day you will be running them and that will give you and Idea of how much you are consuming. Then figure out what you are paying per KW.