Original story at GreenerIdeal
One of the genuine concerns that many people have with regard to their aquarium is that it may not be particularly eco-friendly. When it comes to running fish tank filters and lighting, the energy consumed is often a major issue; but should you be worried? In 1997 a study was carried out at the US based Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. As part of the study, tests were done on the amounts of energy needed to run and maintain a fully functioning aquarium. The findings were interesting to say the least.
With a small 10 gallon fresh water aquarium the annual kilowatt expenditure was found to be around 120 kilowatt-hours. This is to run lighting, aerators and filter systems. This is about as much as a typical coffee maker uses. Granted this is not very much in the great scheme of things; however as the size of the tank increased, the results were found to be quite dramatic.
A larger 55 gallon tank, for example, was said to burn the equivalent of 400kw which is the same as a large American style refrigerator. Finally if you have a large (60 gallon plus) salt water aquarium with planting you could be burning twice that amount at up to 800kw.
Eco-Friendly Technology is Advancing
The good news is that things have moved on in leaps and bounds since 1997 when this report was carried out. Certainly when it comes to fish tank filtration and lighting, advances in eco-friendly money saving technology has resulted in far greater energy efficient equipment. For example, new innovations such as energy saving ballasts and pumps have come onto the market which will cut your energy expenditure by around 25%. In addition to this, LED lighting is designed to be far more energy efficient and eco-friendly.
Depending on the type of filtration system you use, it can have an effect upon the amount of energy expended. For instance a corner filter system, which is in essence a plastic box that sits inside your tank, is relatively cheap as far as filters go. However it can be expensive to run and doesn’t perform as well as other types of filter.
Sponge Filters are Energy Efficient and Eco-Friendly
Sponge filters on the other hand are an energy efficient and relatively inexpensive way of filtering the water in your tank through natural biological means. The water is forced through the sponge-like membranes by means of an air tube. Any water passing through the sponge will be colonised by healthy bacteria which neutralise the harmful toxic ammonia contained within the water, therefore keeping it healthy and clean.
Filtration is an important factor of your aquarium and necessary if the fish are to survive, and indeed thrive. There are numerous types of filtration units on the market including some that will burn enough energy equivalent to that used to power a small country. If you are concerned about green issues and running costs involved, then it pays to do some homework before you part with your hard earned cash.
Why not visit specialist websites, go onto forums and ask in specialist aquatic centres? By doing so, you will gain sufficient information so you know the best filtration system for your tank and in addition, you can be certain that you’re doing your bit for the environment.
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