Estimate what your reef tank costs to run each month and year. Edit the equipment list with your own wattages (on the device label or manual) and your electricity rate.
The formula
kWh per day = 危 (watts 脳 quantity 脳 hours per day) 梅 1,000
Monthly cost = kWh per day 脳 365 梅 12 脳 rate
Pumps and powerheads usually run 24 hours, lights for the photoperiod, and heaters only part of the day. Switching an old AC return pump to an efficient DC pump, or trimming a light schedule by an hour, shows up directly in the result. Pair this with the heater size calculator to estimate heater run time.
FAQ
How much electricity does a reef tank use? Add up each device's watts 脳 hours per day. A typical 75-gallon reef with a 40 W return pump, two 15 W powerheads, a 90 W light for 9 hours, a skimmer, and a heater that runs about 4 hours a day uses around 3.7 kWh a day, roughly 110 kWh a month.
How do I count the heater? A heater only draws power when it's on. Use its wattage and estimate hours on per day: more in winter, often zero in summer. A smart plug with energy monitoring gives a real number.
Where do I find my electricity rate? On your power bill, as cents per kWh. Include delivery charges for a realistic total. The default here is only an example.