Equipment & costs
Equipment & costs
Estimate heater wattage, electricity cost, and adequate lighting for keeping a stable tank.
Heater wattage
Calculate the watts needed based on volume and the temperature difference between ambient and target.
Results
Delta T5.0deg C
Calculated minimum wattage450W
Recommended wattage500W
Insulation factor0.75
Formula
P = V × ΔT × k (k ≈ 0.5–1.0 W/(L·°C))
The recommendation rounds up to the next commercial size. In large tanks, splitting power across two heaters is often better.
Electricity cost
Estimate the consumption and running cost of aquarium equipment.
Results
Daily consumption (kWh)2.160kWh
Daily cost0.54EUR
Monthly cost16.20EUR
Yearly cost197.10EUR
Formula
Cost = (W × h/day × days) / 1000 × €/kWh
Lighting
Estimate lumens per liter and the lighting technology level for planted tanks.
Results
Lumens/liter30.0lm/L
Watts/liter0.33W/L
ResultMedium-tech (20–40 lm/L)
Lighting ranges
Low-tech (≤ 20 lm/L)Slow plants, mosses, Anubias, and ferns.
Medium-tech (20–40 lm/L)Common stems and medium-demand plants; CO2 recommended.
High-tech (> 40 lm/L)Carpeting and red plants; stable CO2 and fertilization.
Aquarium heater, consumption, and lighting calculator
Estimate heater wattage, electricity cost with real duty cycle, and lumens per liter to choose lighting that matches plants and tank management.
Scientific references
- Joule's law: Q = P × t
- PAR — Walstad, D. Ecology of the Planted Aquarium