Aquarium Electricity Costs | Electricity Consumption | Save | Calculator
Save on Aquarium Electricity Costs & Energy Consumption – Tips, Products, and Calculators
- 1.Annual Aquarium Electricity Costs at a Glance
- 2.Comparison of Electricity Costs for Saltwater and Freshwater Aquariums
- 3.Electricity Costs Based on Tank Size
- 4.Electricity Cost Calculator: Calculate Your Individual Electricity Consumption
- 5.Top 6 Tips: How to Save Electricity for Your Aquarium
- 5.1Use the latest technology
- 5.2Prevent Heat Loss
- 5.3Insulate Your Aquarium
- 5.4Use energy-efficient lighting
- 5.5Improving Light Efficiency
- 5.6Don’t Leave the Lights On All the Time
- 5.7Choose Cold-Hardy Aquatic Species
- 6.Summary
An aquarium comes with costs—not just the initial purchase price, but also the day-to-day expenses: filters, lighting, pumps, and heaters all run on electricity. And as we all know, electricity isn’t free. But how much energy does an aquarium need to run smoothly and provide an optimal home for its animal and plant inhabitants? In our informative article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about aquarium energy consumption and how you can save a few kilowatt-hours of electricity. You can also use our free electricity calculator to find out how much your aquarium costs you in electricity. In just a few steps, you can determine your aquarium’s energy consumption and discover where you can save!
Annual Aquarium Electricity Costs at a Glance
An aquarium isn’t just a lifeless decorative item. It requires a lot of love and care to truly shine in all its glory. Whether you want to keep tropical fish or have discovered a passion for aquascaping—three pieces of equipment are essential for every aquarium: the heater, the lighting, and the pump or filter. And, of course, these components need electricity to function. As you can imagine, your aquarium’s electricity consumption depends on these three factors.
The rule of thumb is: The more watts each component draws, the higher your annual electricity costs will be.
- Room temperature: The colder the outside temperature, the more intensely and continuously the water must be heated to keep the aquarium inhabitants comfortable.
- Open or closed tank: If the tank is open, the water evaporates. This means it must be refilled more often and reheated to the desired temperature. Additionally, heat is lost more quickly without a cover.
- Heating duration: How many watts does the heater have, and how long is it automatically turned on each day?
- Tank volume: How large is the tank, or how many liters need to be heated? The larger the aquarium, the more water needs to be heated.
- Water temperature: The water temperature must be adjusted depending on the species of the inhabitants. Some feel at home at 15 °C, while others require 20 °C, 25 °C, or even over 28 °C.
Most fish prefer higher water temperatures around 25 °C. For pure aquascaping—without any animal inhabitants—however, lower temperatures are generally recommended. Many plants thrive at water temperatures between 20 and 25 °C and grow beautifully. The lower temperatures also help reduce algae growth.
So as you can see, determining the energy consumption for heating your aquarium isn’t that simple, since several factors come into play. Nevertheless, we’ve put together an overview of average values to help guide you. This way, you’ll know approximately how many kilowatt-hours to expect per aquarium size and desired water temperature.
Table: Annual Energy Consumption of Aquarium Heaters
| Aquarium size in liters | Water temperature 20 °C | Water temperature 25 °C | Water temperature 28 °C |
| 60 l | 90 kWh | 150 kWh | 180 kWh |
| 100 l | 150 kWh | 250 kWh | 300 kWh |
| 120 l | 180 kWh | 300 kWh | 360 kWh |
| 160 l | 240 kWh | 400 kWh | 480 kWh |
| 180 l | 270 kWh | 450 kWh | 540 kWh |
| 200 l | 300 kWh | 500 kWh | 600 kWh |
| 240 l | 360 kWh | 600 kWh | 720 kWh |
| 300 l | 450 kWh | 750 kWh | 900 kWh |
| 350 l | 525 kWh | 875 kWh | 1,050 kWh |
| 450 l | 675 kWh | 1,125 kWh | 1,350 kWh |
| 500 l | 750 kWh | 1,250 kWh | 1,500 kWh |
Electricity costs currently amount to 37.30 cents per kilowatt-hour [as of July 2022]. We’d like to use a specific example here to illustrate how high the annual energy costs for heating an aquarium can be.
In our example, we’ll assume an aquarium that holds 200 l of water:
At a water temperature of 20 °C:
- Energy consumption: 300 kWh
- Annual electricity costs for heating: 111.90 euros
At a water temperature of 25 °C:
- Energy consumption: 500 kWh
- Annual electricity costs for heating: 186.50 euros
At a water temperature of 28 °C:
- Energy consumption: 600 kWh
- Annual electricity costs for heating: 223.80 euros
Filter pumps are used to treat the water, remove uneaten food and dead plants, and neutralize suspended particles. A pump’s electricity consumption can hardly be influenced, so you should check how many watts the device requires and how powerful it is when purchasing it.
Comparison of Electricity Costs for Saltwater and Freshwater Aquariums
The choice of technical components has a significant impact on your aquarium’s electricity costs. However, the type of aquarium—that is, whether it’s filled with saltwater or freshwater—also affects energy consumption.
Comparing Costs for Saltwater and Freshwater Aquariums
Anyone already familiar with the hobby probably knows that saltwater aquariums are more expensive than freshwater tanks. This is evident right from the start in the initial purchase costs. But the ongoing costs, such as electricity, are also higher in comparison.
Why? Saltwater aquariums require more maintenance and more technical equipment. In addition to a heater, filter, and lighting, you’ll need a flow pump, a protein skimmer, a dosing pump, and a salinity meter. Optionally, an ozonator, a cooling fan, and other accessories can also be added. All of these devices consume energy as well, thereby driving up the annual electricity bill slightly.
Technical Equipment for Saltwater Aquariums
Are you a beginner and not yet sure what equipment you really need or which models you should choose? Get professional advice from us now—by phone or in person in Jena (Thuringia)—and we’ll help you choose the right equipment for your new hobby.
Electricity Costs Based on Tank Size
The size of the tank also has a significant impact on your electricity costs. The larger the volume, the harder the technical equipment has to work, and the more kilowatt-hours of electricity are required, depending on the desired water temperature.
We’ve created a summary table for you here, showing the approximate kWh you should expect based on your aquarium’s size. But don’t forget that these are only estimates. As we’ve already mentioned, electricity costs are influenced by many variables; aquarium size is just one of them.
Table: Annual Electricity Consumption by Aquarium Size Based on Older Technology
| Aquarium size in liters | Water temperature 20 °C | Water temperature 25 °C | Water temperature 28 °C |
| 60 L | 470 kWh | 530 kWh | 560 kWh |
| 100 l | 530 kWh | 630 kWh | 680 kWh |
| 120 l | 560 kWh | 680 kWh | 740 kWh |
| 160 l | 620 kWh | 780 kWh | 860 kWh |
| 180 l | 650 kWh | 830 kWh | 920 kWh |
| 200 l | 680 kWh | 879 kWh | 980 kWh |
| 240 l | 740 kWh | 980 kWh | 1,100 kWh |
| 300 l | 830 kWh | 1,130 kWh | 1,430 kWh |
| 350 l | 905 kWh | 1,255 kWh | 1,430 kWh |
| 450 l | 1,055 kWh | 1,505 kWh | 1,730 kWh |
| 500 l | 1,230 kWh | 1,630 kWh | 1,880 kWh |
Please note: This table is based on aquariums equipped with older technology. We know that not every aquarium enthusiast rushes out to buy the latest technology as soon as it hits the market. And that’s not necessary at all. If your current equipment is working properly and keeping the aquarium clean and safe, why buy new devices? However, we’d like to point out that older devices can be real power guzzlers. This applies not only to everyday appliances like refrigerators and washing machines, but also to aquarium equipment.
We’ve tested our brand-new filter systems and energy-efficient LED lights for you and are showing you here just how much electricity they consume.
Table: Annual electricity consumption based on aquarium size and the latest technology
| Aquarium size in liters | Modern technical equipment | Power consumption with modern equipment |
| 60 L | Filter: Oase FiltoSmart 60 Lighting: Oase Classic LED Lighting Kit 125 | 191 kW/h at 20°C 251 kW/h at 25°C 281 kW/h at 28°C |
| 120 l | Filter: JBL CristalProfi e902 Lighting: Oase Classic LED Lighting Kit 125 | 333 kW/h at 20°C 453 kW/h at 25°C 513 kW/h at 28°C |
| 250 l | Filter: JBL CristalProfi e902 Lighting: Oase Classic LED Lighting Kit 300 | 585 kW/h at 20°C 825 kW/h at 25°C 945 kW/h at 28°C |
| 500 l | Filter: JBL CristalProfi e1502 Lighting: 1x JBL LED Solar Nature 1449 mm | 1,168 kW/h at 20°C 1,668 kW/h at 25°C 1,918 kW/h at 28°C |
The results show that modern technology is more energy-efficient in a direct comparison. By switching to new technology, you’ll reduce your kWh consumption while also getting more powerful equipment that doesn’t have to run continuously. While purchasing the new equipment may seem expensive at first glance, you and your aquatic pets can benefit from it in the long run!
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Find energy-saving aquarium equipment now so you don’t use a single kilowatt-hour more than necessary. Browse our online store today or let us advise you personally. We’ll do our best to ensure that both you and your aquarium inhabitants are happy and satisfied!
Energy-Efficient Aquarium Equipment
Electricity Cost Calculator: Calculate Your Individual Electricity Consumption
To know where you can save, you should first determine your current electricity consumption. This is easy to do with our free electricity cost calculator.
To do this, you’ll first need to find out how many watts your equipment consumes. Then it’s very simple: Enter all the necessary data—the current electricity rate, as well as the wattage and operating time of your equipment. The calculator will then show you your individual electricity consumption for the selected time period.
Give it a try right now!
Calculator coming soon
Is your calculated electricity cost higher than you initially thought? That might be because your equipment isn’t the latest model. Older devices often consume significantly more electricity than those currently on the market. It’s best to check the wattage of your current aquarium equipment and then decide whether an upgrade would be worthwhile and more energy-efficient.
By switching to newer equipment with lower wattage, you’ll benefit in two ways: Not only will you effectively lower your electricity costs, but you can also reinvest the money you save right back into your passion for aquariums.
Top 6 Tips: How to Save Electricity for Your Aquarium
Electricity costs for aquariums can really add up over time. Especially with fluctuating electricity prices, your annual bill may end up being higher than expected. So what now—switch providers? It’s worth considering. But that often involves time-consuming research and price comparisons. However, there are other ways you can lower your aquarium’s electricity costs.
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Our tips will show you how to save electricity for your aquarium and reduce your energy costs.
Use the latest technology
Outdated technology can be one reason why electricity consumption is higher than it needs to be. However, you can upgrade your aquarium and lower your energy consumption with modern equipment.
To save electricity with an aquarium, the key is using energy-efficient equipment. If you’re thinking about getting a new aquarium, you don’t have to spend forever researching and piecing together individual technical components. There are also complete kits available for purchase that have been put together by experts and designed for energy efficiency. Complete kits are especially recommended for larger aquariums with a volume of 200 liters or more.
Prevent Heat Loss
Precisely because the heater consumes so much energy, you should take care to prevent heat loss. How does that work? By keeping the room temperature relatively warm, you prevent the water from cooling down too much and having to be reheated. The higher the room temperature, the less energy the heater has to use.
Buying an aquarium thermometer
It’s best to place your aquarium in a room with a constant room temperature. In hallways, basements, or sunrooms, temperatures are usually too low, causing the water temperature to drop more quickly and requiring the heater to be turned on more often.
Insulate Your Aquarium
Insulating the aquarium can also help reduce electricity consumption. Two methods have proven effective: placing the aquarium on a Styrofoam panel or insulating the back wall with Styrofoam if the aquarium is positioned against a wall. An aquarium with thick insulated glass can also help keep energy loss to a minimum.
A sealed aquarium also prevents the heated water from evaporating and needing to be replaced with fresh water. This saves the energy required to bring the fresh water up to the desired temperature.
Use energy-efficient lighting
Opt for LED lights. These are very energy-efficient and provide the right light spectrum for optimal plant growth.
Button: Find energy-saving lighting for your aquarium or
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Keep in mind that you can’t simply place your aquarium by a window and “light” it with sunlight. The high levels of UV radiation can be harmful to your aquatic plants. Direct sunlight promotes algae growth, and your aquarium plants lose their habitat. This makes a complete water change necessary, which in turn leads to unnecessary additional costs—including electricity costs, since the new water must be heated back up to the desired temperature.
Improving Light Efficiency
Did you know that you can increase light efficiency without buying more lamps? Use reflectors. This allows the lamp’s light to spread more effectively, thereby increasing its brightness. Your aquarium will be optimally lit without having to install more lamps—and thus without having to pay for more kilowatt-hours. Modern LED lighting already has these reflectors built in.
Don’t Leave the Lights On All the Time
Lighting also accounts for a large portion of an aquarium’s energy consumption. Most aquariums require an artificial light source to showcase the fish and plants inside. However, depending on the type and number of lighting units, this can consume a lot of electricity. You can save energy by turning off your aquarium’s lighting during the day. Your fish don’t need light 24 hours a day, so there’s no need to leave the lighting on all the time. You can use a timer, for example. This way, you can control when and for how long you turn on your aquarium lighting.
Choose Cold-Hardy Aquatic Species
The type of fish or aquatic plants you choose can also affect your aquarium’s electricity consumption. You can lower the operating costs of your aquarium by choosing fish that thrive in cooler waters. This way, you can save on heating energy without compromising the well-being of your aquatic inhabitants. The same applies, of course, to your aquatic plants as well.
Summary
An aquarium incurs ongoing costs, a large portion of which is attributable to electricity consumption. Given fluctuating electricity prices, it’s especially important to keep track of your own consumption. End up with a hefty bill at the end of the year? It doesn’t have to be that way. It’s best to calculate in advance how much energy your aquarium uses so you can adjust your monthly payments to your electricity provider as needed. Our free electricity calculator makes this very easy. In just a few minutes, you can find out how many kilowatt-hours of electricity your aquarium uses per year and what electricity costs you should expect.
In most cases, outdated aquarium equipment is the reason your last electricity bill was higher than planned. So it’s best to check how many watts your equipment uses and then consider whether it’s time to switch to an energy-efficient alternative.
At Petonus, we offer a wide selection of aquarium equipment for both saltwater and freshwater aquariums. Why not take a look around our online store or contact us directly? We’d be happy to help you choose the right equipment so your aquarium is set up to be energy-efficient.
