Monthly Cost
$12.76
Monthly kWh
79.8
Annual
$153
US average: ~$0.16/kWh. Check your utility bill for exact rate.
Heater: Insulate tank sides to reduce heating cycles. Heaters are usually the #1 cost.
Lights: Switch to LED if using fluorescent. LEDs use 60–80% less power.
Timer: Use a timer for lights (10–12h/day). No one needs 24h lighting.
Filter: Clean regularly. A clogged filter works harder and uses more power.
Inputs
Result
Heater: 200 × 8 / 1000 = 1.6 kWh/day. Filter: 25 × 24 / 1000 = 0.6 kWh/day. Light: 30 × 10 / 1000 = 0.3 kWh/day. Air pump: 5 × 24 / 1000 = 0.12 kWh/day. Total: 2.62 kWh/day × 30.44 = 17.7 kWh/month × $0.16 = $2.83.
Inputs
Result
Saltwater systems cost roughly 2–3x more than freshwater due to additional equipment (skimmer, wave maker) and stronger lighting for coral growth.
A typical freshwater aquarium uses 3–6 kWh per month for a small tank (10–20 gal) and 15–40 kWh for a larger setup (55–75 gal). Saltwater tanks with protein skimmers, wave makers, and stronger lighting can use 40–80+ kWh monthly.
| Tank Type | Monthly kWh | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small FW (20 gal) | 4–6 kWh | $0.65–$0.95 |
| Medium FW (55 gal) | 15–25 kWh | $2.40–$4.00 |
| Large FW (75 gal) | 25–40 kWh | $4.00–$6.40 |
| Saltwater Reef (75 gal) | 50–80 kWh | $8.00–$12.80 |
A heater is usually the most expensive piece of aquarium equipment to run. A 200W heater running 8 hours/day costs about $0.77/month at $0.16/kWh. In colder rooms, heaters run up to 12 hours, increasing costs to ~$1.15/month.
| Heater Wattage | 6h/day | 8h/day | 12h/day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100W | $0.29/mo | $0.39/mo | $0.58/mo |
| 200W | $0.58/mo | $0.77/mo | $1.17/mo |
| 300W | $0.87/mo | $1.17/mo | $1.75/mo |
| 500W | $1.46/mo | $1.95/mo | $2.92/mo |
Filters are very energy-efficient. A hang-on-back (HOB) filter uses only 5–10 watts, costing about $0.12–$0.23/month running 24/7. Canister filters use 15–30 watts ($0.35–$0.70/month). Since filters must run continuously, they add a consistent but small cost.
| Filter Type | Watts | Monthly Cost (24/7) |
|---|---|---|
| Sponge + Air Pump | 3–5W | $0.07–$0.12 |
| Hang-On-Back (HOB) | 5–10W | $0.12–$0.23 |
| Canister | 15–30W | $0.35–$0.70 |
| Sump + Return Pump | 25–50W | $0.58–$1.17 |
The biggest savings come from reducing heater run time. Insulate tank sides with foam or a tank jacket to cut heating by 20–30%. Switch to LED lights (60–80% less than fluorescent). Use timers for lights (10–12 hours max) and clean filters regularly to maintain efficiency.
| Tip | Monthly Savings | One-Time Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Insulate tank | $0.20–$0.50 | $5–$15 (foam) |
| Switch to LED | $0.30–$1.50 | $20–$80 (fixture) |
| Use timer | $0.10–$0.30 | $10–$20 (timer) |
| Clean filter regularly | $0.05–$0.15 | Free |
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Last Updated: Mar 9, 2026
This calculator is provided for informational and educational purposes only. Results are estimates and should not be considered professional financial, medical, legal, or other advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making important decisions. UseCalcPro is not responsible for any actions taken based on calculator results.