PlanetCatfish.com

Hi,

I'm planning to convert my cellar into a fishhouse.

As anyone any idea how much the energy costs would be ?? And how to keep them as low as possible ?

for example : I could heat the place to 25°C with central heating and the heat the tank additionally with normal electric heaters. OR I could heat the tanks with the central heating system and don't heat the room at all.

Also should I insulate the cellar ? What with humidity ? All tiles ??

What about the energy bill ? What to expect ?
What is the cheapest heat source (as kwh/$)

I think you know what I want and what sort of questions I have. Did anyone done this exercise before.

ps: it's not that I want to make money, I'll just want to keep expensive as low as possible.

pps : I live in Belgium, climate is similar to NY area I guess

I heat my fishroom and not individual tanks. While I do not live in the same climate you do, one of the main reasons I did this was to save on electrical outlets. A fishroom with 20 tanks needs plugs for 20 heaters. Add filters and lights and you need circa 60 outlets.
I can not speak to costs as I do not know what power and water cost in Belgium.
-Shane

Perrush,

Here's how I work out my electricity comsumption. firstly my fish house id an outside building. It is aproximately 2.8m x 2.1 x 2 high plus apex roof, the walls and roof have 75mm fibre glass matting insulation, covered with 6 mm plywood then 12 mm polystyrene. The heating is by a thermostatic controled 2 kw fan heater. in the winter (+4 to - 6ºC) the heater comes on for 6 minutes and is off for 18 - 20 minuted, = Aprox 20 min in every hour which = 666w per hour add this to the equipment thet runs for 24/7 = pump; 10 power filters 2 power heads (128w) = (794w) The lighting runs for 12/t at 180 = (90w) + 794w = 884w x by the electricity charges and you have a costing per hour for your fish room.

The only part that is guese work when you start is the heater, but in a basement I would think the heating cost would be lower than my outside unit. (How I would love a basement):ohwell:

Ian