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How Much Does It Cost to Run a Aquarium (Heater, Filter, Light) in the US? (2026)
An aquarium's cost is mostly the heater, which cycles on and off to hold temperature, plus a filter pump running all day and lights on for 8 to 12 hours. A 100 litre tropical tank uses roughly 30 to 60 kWh a month.
A typical aquarium (heater, filter, light) (80 W) costs $0.014 per hour, or about $5.18 per month at 12 hours a day in United States (average). Average running cost
| Wattage | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low (30 W) | $0.005 | $0.065 | $1.94 | $23.65 |
| Typical (80 W) | $0.014 | $0.17 | $5.18 | $63.07 |
| High (300 W) | $0.054 | $0.65 | $19.44 | $236.52 |
Formula: watts ÷ 1000 × hours × price per kWh. Typical use is 12 h/day ≈ 350 kWh per year.
In the US, with electricity at $0.18 per kWh (source: EIA Electric Power Monthly, 2026-06), a typical aquarium (heater, filter, light) costs $0.014 per hour and about $63.07 per year at 12 hours a day. Each $1.00 of electricity buys roughly 69.4 hours of use.
How to lower the cost of running a aquarium (heater, filter, light)
- Put the tank away from windows and drafts so the heater runs less.
- Cover the tank. An open top loses heat through evaporation.
- Use LED lighting on a timer for 8 hours rather than 12.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an aquarium cost to run per month?
A typical 100 litre heated tank uses 30 to 60 kWh a month. Pick your region above.
Which part of an aquarium uses the most electricity?
The heater in a cool room. In a warm room, the lights.
Does a bigger tank cost proportionally more?
Less than proportionally. Larger tanks hold temperature better per litre.
Cost by region
- United States (average)
- California
- Texas
- New York
- Florida
- Canada (average)
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- France
- Australia
- India