Aquarium Electricity Cost Calculator
Add your heater, filter, and lights to calculate exactly how much your aquarium costs to run — daily, monthly, and yearly. Pre-filled with typical equipment to get you started immediately.
Calculator
Currency
Check your bill or use EU average €0.28
Enter your values above to see results
Reduce your running costs
Energy-efficient upgrades with the fastest payback.
Fits on canister filter outlet — heats water outside the tank, no heater visible inside, more efficient than submersible
Monitors real-time energy use per socket — see exactly what each device costs to run before entering wattages here
Adjustable full-spectrum LED — significantly lower running cost than T5 or T8 fluorescent tubes
I’ve used everything listed in my own tanks. If you buy through a link, I earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you, and it never affects what I recommend.
Related tools
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does an aquarium cost to run per year?
- A typical 100–200 litre planted tank costs roughly €80–€180 per year to run in the EU, depending on equipment and local electricity rates. The three main consumers are the heater (especially in winter), the filter running 24/7, and the lighting. High-tech setups with CO2 solenoids and powerful lights cost more; low-tech tanks with LED lighting and efficient filters can be very affordable. Use this calculator with your actual wattages for a precise figure.
- How much electricity does an aquarium heater use?
- A 100 W aquarium heater running 4–6 hours per day — typical for a room-temperature home — uses about 0.5–0.6 kWh per day, or roughly 180–220 kWh per year. At the EU average of €0.28/kWh, that is approximately €50–€60 per year just for the heater. In winter, when room temperatures drop, the heater cycles on more frequently and costs rise. Inline heaters tend to be more efficient than submersible models.
- Is an aquarium expensive to run?
- Not particularly. A well-set-up 100-litre planted tank typically costs less than a single large household appliance to run. The biggest variable is heating — tanks in cold rooms cost significantly more than those in warm ones. Switching from fluorescent tubes to LED lighting alone can cut your lighting energy use by 50–70%. Filters are inexpensive to run because modern models are very efficient, typically 5–20 W for most tank sizes.
- How can I reduce aquarium running costs?
- The most impactful upgrades are: switching to LED lighting (large saving for tanks still using T5 or T8 fluorescents); using a programmable timer to avoid running lights or CO2 longer than needed; insulating the tank sides and back with thin foam to reduce heat loss; positioning the tank away from cold exterior walls or draughty windows; and choosing an inline heater over a standard submersible model for better efficiency. Even a small temperature reduction (1–2°C) can noticeably lower heater runtime.
- What uses the most electricity in an aquarium?
- In most planted tanks, the heater consumes the most energy — especially in winter when room temperatures fall. However, in high-tech setups with powerful lighting, the lights can rival or exceed heater costs. CO2 solenoids use very little power. Filters are usually efficient but run continuously, so over a year they add up. The best way to find out is to enter your own equipment in this calculator — the bar chart shows the breakdown at a glance.