CrunchYourDollars

Free calculator

Aquarium Size and Cost Calculator

Enter your tank, or a big custom or in-wall build. Get the real gallons, filled weight and floor load, the filter or return pump flow, heater watts, reef flow and light, what it costs to run each month, and equipment that fits together.

Updated Oct 14, 2026

  • Answer a few questions
  • See the math behind every number
  • Get models that actually fit
Step 1 of 3

How big is the tank?

Pick a standard size or type the outside dimensions of a custom or in-wall build, in inches.

Length

in

Width (front to back)

in

Height

in

That is 79 gallons by the glass (L x W x H / 231).

Every tank, stand, filter, heater and light this tool can recommend

Tanks and stands first, then filtration, heat, light and reef gear. Ratings come from each Amazon listing or the maker's published specs.

Tetra

55gallon tank

Tetra 55 Gallon Glass Aquarium

  • 48 x 13 x 20 in
  • Glass
  • Tank only

The classic 4 ft community tank: glass, framed, sold bare so you pick the filter, heater and light.

  • 48 x 13 x 20 in
  • Standard 48 in footprint every 55 gallon stand fits
  • Narrow 13 in front to back, so aquascapes stay shallow

$250 to $500, live price on Amazon

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SC Aquariums

66gallon rimless

SCA 66 Gallon Starfire Rimless with Built-in Overflow

  • 32 x 24 x 20 in
  • 10 mm starfire glass
  • Built-in overflow

A deep 32 x 24 in footprint for a reef or planted island that you view from three sides.

  • 32 x 24 x 20 in
  • 10 mm starfire glass
  • Built-in overflow
  • The 24 in depth takes a wide light or two fixtures

$500 to $1,000, live price on Amazon

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SC Aquariums

80gallon rimless

SCA 80 Gallon Starfire Rimless with Center Overflow

  • 32 x 24 x 24 in
  • 10 mm starfire glass
  • Center overflow

The cube-style reef: 32 x 24 x 24 in with a center overflow, durso standpipe and dual return included.

  • 32 x 24 x 24 in, 10 mm starfire glass
  • Center overflow, durso standpipe, dual return
  • 24 in tall: reaching the sand takes long tongs

$500 to $1,000, live price on Amazon

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Empire USA

90gallon rimless

Empire USA 90 Gallon Starfire Rimless with Center Overflow

  • 48 x 18 x 24 in
  • 12 mm starfire glass
  • Center overflow, plumbing kit

A 4 ft reef-ready rimless tank: low iron glass, drilled center overflow and plumbing kit for a sump.

  • 48 x 18 x 24 in, 12 mm starfire glass
  • Drilled overflow with bulkheads and SCH40 plumbing kit
  • Herbie overflow design
  • Needs a sump and return pump, sold separately

$1,000 to $2,000, live price on Amazon

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Show all 53 models
SC Aquariums

150gallon tank

SC Aquariums 150 Gallon Starfire 60 x 24 x 24

  • 60 x 24 x 24 in
  • 12 mm eurobraced starfire
  • Built-in overflow

A 5 ft centerpiece: 12 mm eurobraced low iron glass with a built-in overflow for a sump system.

  • 60 x 24 x 24 in
  • 12 mm eurobraced starfire glass
  • Built-in overflow
  • About a ton filled: check the floor before you buy

$1,000 to $2,000, live price on Amazon

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Empire USA

240gallon tank

SC Aquariums 240 Gallon Starfire 72 x 24 x 32

  • 72 x 24 x 32 in
  • Eurobraced starfire
  • Built-in overflow

The statement tank: 6 ft long and 32 in tall, eurobraced starfire glass with an overflow made for a Herbie drain.

  • 72 x 24 x 32 in
  • Eurobraced starfire glass
  • Built-in overflow, SCH40 plumbing kit
  • Close to 3,000 lb filled: slab floor or an engineer's sign-off

Over $2,000, live price on Amazon

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Mondazie

600lb rated

Mondazie 30 x 12 in Aquarium Stand

  • 30 x 12 in top
  • 600 lb
  • Lower shelf

A steel stand with a 30 x 12 in top for 20 gallon long and 29 gallon tanks, rated 600 lb.

  • 30 x 12 in top
  • Rated 600 lb
  • Adjustable feet
  • Open frame, no cabinet to hide a filter

Under $100, live price on Amazon

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Likeem

660lb rated

Likeem 36.5 x 18.5 in Aquarium Stand

  • 36.5 x 18.5 in top
  • 660 lb
  • Steel

A steel stand with a 36.5 x 18.5 in top for 40 gallon breeder tanks, rated 660 lb.

  • 36.5 x 18.5 in top
  • Rated 660 lb
  • Powder-coated steel
  • Open frame, no cabinet

Under $100, live price on Amazon

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DALEMHOME

750lb rated

DALEMHOME 55-75 Gallon Metal Aquarium Stand

  • 49.2 x 19.7 in top
  • 750 lb
  • Power strip

A steel stand for standard 48 in tanks, with a power strip and room for a canister filter underneath.

  • 49.2 x 19.7 in top, rated 750 lb
  • Steel frame with X-bracing and anti-tip kit
  • Built-in power strip with master switch
  • Open metal look, not furniture

$100 to $250, live price on Amazon

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Regal Altair

1,750lb rated

Regal Altair 48 x 24 in Aquarium Stand

  • 48 x 24 in top
  • 1,750 lb
  • 12 in tall

A low 12 in aluminum base with a 48 x 24 in top, rated 1,750 lb, for heavy 4 ft tanks.

  • 48 x 24 in top
  • Rated 1,750 lb
  • Rust-proof aluminum
  • Only 12 in tall: a low base, no room for a sump inside

$100 to $250, live price on Amazon

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FUXJUM

1,000lb rated

FUXJUM 48 in Aquarium Stand for 55 to 90 Gallon

  • Fits 48 in 55 to 90 gal tanks
  • 1,000 lb
  • Outlets and USB

A heavier 4 ft stand rated 1,000 lb for 75 and 90 gallon tanks, with a drawer, outlets and a lower shelf.

  • Rated 1,000 lb on the top
  • Made for 55, 75 and 90 gallon tanks and 40 breeders
  • AC outlet and USB ports
  • Lower shelf is open, so a sump stays in view

$100 to $250, live price on Amazon

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FUXJUM

1,500lb rated

FUXJUM 51 x 23.6 in Aquarium Stand

  • 51.2 x 23.6 in top
  • 1,500 lb
  • Cabinet, 31.5 in tall

A cabinet stand with a 51.2 x 23.6 in top rated 1,500 lb, for 75 to 120 gallon 4 ft tanks, with a lower tier for a sump.

  • 51.2 x 23.6 in top
  • Rated 1,500 lb on top, 900 lb on the bottom tier
  • Outlet and USB ports
  • Remove the middle divider to fit a sump; it holds only 33 lb

$100 to $250, live price on Amazon

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BELNEST

2,200lb rated

BELNEST 60 x 24 Aquarium Stand Cabinet

  • 60 x 24 in top
  • 2,200 lb
  • Open back

A furniture-style cabinet stand for 60 x 24 in tanks, open in back for sump plumbing.

  • 60 x 24 in top, rated 2,200 lb evenly loaded
  • Open back for plumbing and cords
  • Built-in power
  • Rating assumes the load is spread evenly over the top

$250 to $500, live price on Amazon

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BELNEST

2,200lb rated

BELNEST 72 x 24 Aquarium Stand Cabinet

  • 72 x 24 in top
  • 2,200 lb
  • Open back

A 6 ft cabinet stand for 72 x 24 in tanks such as a 180 gallon.

  • 72 x 24 in top, rated 2,200 lb evenly loaded
  • Open back for plumbing
  • Built-in power
  • Ships in two boxes

$250 to $500, live price on Amazon

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knoworld

3,500lb rated

knoworld 125-150 Gallon Steel Aquarium Stand

  • 71 x 18.9 in top
  • 3,500 lb
  • 8 outlets

A steel stand rated 3,500 lb for 6 ft, 18 in deep tanks like a 125 or 150 gallon.

  • 71 x 18.9 in top, rated 3,500 lb
  • Adjustable shelves fit a sump or canister
  • 8-outlet power strip
  • Only for 18 in deep tanks

$250 to $500, live price on Amazon

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GDLF

2,200lb rated

GDLF 72 x 24 in Cabinet Aquarium Stand

  • 72 x 24 in top
  • 2,200 lb
  • Cabinet doors

A cabinet stand with a 72 x 24 in top rated 2,200 lb, with room inside for a sump.

  • 72 x 24 in top
  • Rated 2,200 lb
  • Doors hide a sump; 8 outlets
  • Check the inside height against your sump

$250 to $500, live price on Amazon

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Fluval

200GPH hang-on

AquaClear 50 Hang-On-Back Filter

  • 20 to 50 gal
  • 200 GPH
  • Hang-on-back

A hang-on-back filter for 20 to 50 gallon tanks with a large media basket.

  • Rated for 20 to 50 gallon tanks
  • 200 GPH
  • Foam, carbon and BioMax included
  • Hangs on the back rim; needs a few inches behind the tank

Under $100, live price on Amazon

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Fluval

145GPH canister

Fluval 107 Canister Filter

  • Up to 30 gal
  • 145 GPH
  • Quiet eTEC pump

A small, quiet canister for tanks up to 30 gallons.

  • Rated for tanks up to 30 gallons
  • 145 GPH
  • EZ-Lift media baskets
  • Costs more than a hang-on-back filter of the same size

$100 to $250, live price on Amazon

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Fluval

206GPH canister

Fluval 207 Canister Filter

  • Up to 45 gal
  • 206 GPH
  • Quiet eTEC pump

A quiet canister for tanks up to 45 gallons.

  • Rated for tanks up to 45 gallons
  • 206 GPH
  • EZ-Lift media baskets
  • Costs more than a hang-on-back filter of the same size

$100 to $250, live price on Amazon

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Fluval

383GPH canister

Fluval 407 Canister Filter

  • Up to 100 gal
  • 383 GPH
  • Quiet eTEC pump

A quiet canister for tanks up to 100 gallons, with lift-out media baskets.

  • Rated for tanks up to 100 gallons
  • 383 GPH pump
  • EZ-Lift media baskets
  • Too small to carry a big tank alone

$250 to $500, live price on Amazon

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Fluval

700GPH canister

Fluval FX4 Canister Filter

  • Up to 250 gal
  • 700 GPH
  • 16.5 in tall

A big-tank canister that still fits under most stands at 16.5 in tall, rated for tanks up to 250 gallons.

  • 700 GPH, rated up to 250 gallons
  • 1 gallon of media in stackable baskets
  • Self-starting, purges air every 12 hours
  • Large hoses take some routing

$250 to $500, live price on Amazon

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Fluval

925GPH canister

Fluval FX6 Canister Filter

  • Up to 400 gal
  • 925 GPH
  • 1.5 gal of media

The largest Fluval canister: 925 GPH and 1.5 gallons of media for tanks up to 400 gallons.

  • 925 GPH, rated up to 400 gallons
  • 1.5 gallons of media
  • Built-in water change port
  • Tall unit: measure under your stand

$250 to $500, live price on Amazon

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Jebao

1,450GPH return

Jebao DCP-5000 DC Return Pump

  • 1,450 GPH
  • 13 ft head
  • 40 W DC

A controllable DC return pump for sumps on tanks up to about 200 gallons.

  • 1,450 GPH max, 13 ft max head
  • 40 W, adjustable with feed mode
  • Ceramic shaft, no copper
  • Internal (submersible) use only

$100 to $250, live price on Amazon

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Jebao

2,640GPH return

Jebao DCP-10000 DC Return Pump

  • 2,640 GPH
  • 19.6 ft head
  • 80 W DC

A big DC return for large reef sumps, with 70 speed steps and a live wattage readout.

  • 2,640 GPH max, 19.6 ft max head
  • 80 W, 70 speed steps
  • Dry run and blocked rotor protection
  • Too much pump for small systems

$100 to $250, live price on Amazon

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Sicce

1,900GPH return

Sicce Syncra SDC 7.0 WiFi Return Pump

  • 800 to 1,900 GPH
  • App and Apex
  • In sump or external

An Italian-made DC pump with app and Apex control, for builders who want it to run quietly for years.

  • 800 to 1,900 GPH adjustable
  • WiFi, ContrALL app and Apex control
  • Submersible or external
  • Several times the price of a Jebao

$250 to $500, live price on Amazon

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Jebao

2,113GPH wavemaker

Jebao SOW-8 Wavemaker

  • 2,113 GPH
  • 23 W
  • Random and pulse

A sine wave powerhead with random and pulse modes, magnet mounted, for reef flow.

  • 185 to 2,113 GPH adjustable
  • 23 W, night mode and feed mode
  • Magnetic mount for glass up to 1/2 in
  • Rated for 30 to 75 gallon tanks each, so big tanks use several

Under $100, live price on Amazon

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Eheim

150W heater

Eheim Jager 150 W Heater

  • 150 W
  • Dry run shutoff
  • Glass

The long-running German glass heater with a calibrated dial, in a size for 30 to 50 gallon tanks.

  • 150 W, fully submersible
  • Shuts off if the water drops too low
  • TruTemp dial recalibration
  • Glass body, so add a guard around cichlids

Under $100, live price on Amazon

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Eheim

100W heater

Eheim Jager 100 W Heater

  • 100 W
  • Dry run shutoff
  • Glass

The 100 W Jager for 20 to 30 gallon tanks.

  • 100 W, fully submersible
  • Shuts off if the water drops too low
  • TruTemp dial recalibration
  • Glass body

Under $100, live price on Amazon

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Cobalt Aquatics

300W heater

Cobalt Aquatics Neo-Glass 300 W Heater

  • 300 W
  • Up to 80 gal
  • Electronic thermostat

An electronic thermostat heater accurate to about 0.7 F, rated for tanks up to 80 gallons.

  • 300 W, up to 80 gallons
  • Electronic thermostat, accurate to about 0.7 F
  • Borosilicate glass
  • Heat it with a pair on bigger tanks

Under $100, live price on Amazon

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Eheim

250W heater

Eheim Jager 250 W Heater

  • 250 W
  • Dry run shutoff
  • Glass

The 250 W Jager, a common pair for 75 to 125 gallon tanks.

  • 250 W, fully submersible
  • Shuts off if the water drops too low
  • Shatter resistant glass
  • Glass body

Under $100, live price on Amazon

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Fluval

300W heater

Fluval E300 Electronic Heater

  • 300 W
  • Digital display
  • Fish guard

A 300 W heater with a live temperature display and dual sensors, set in half degree steps.

  • 300 W with digital display
  • Dual temperature sensors
  • Built-in fish guard
  • Costs more than a dial heater

Under $100, live price on Amazon

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Finnex

500W titanium

Finnex TH 500 W Titanium Heater

  • 500 W
  • 70 to 130 gal
  • Needs controller

A titanium element for big tanks and sumps, suggested for 70 to 130 gallons. It has no thermostat: run it through a controller.

  • 500 W titanium, fresh or saltwater
  • Suggested for 70 to 130 gallons
  • Heater guard included
  • No built-in thermostat; needs an external controller

Under $100, live price on Amazon

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Finnex

800W titanium

Finnex TH 800 W Titanium Heater

  • 800 W
  • 140 to 265 gal
  • Needs controller

The big titanium element, suggested for 140 to 265 gallons, for large systems heated from the sump.

  • 800 W titanium, fresh or saltwater
  • Suggested for 140 to 265 gallons
  • Heater guard included
  • No built-in thermostat; needs an external controller

Under $100, live price on Amazon

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Inkbird

1,200W controller

Inkbird ITC-308S Aquarium Temperature Controller

  • Heat and cool outlets
  • Submersible probe
  • 1,200 W

A plug-in thermostat with a submersible probe and separate heat and cool outlets, so it can run heaters and a chiller.

  • Heating and cooling outlets
  • Submersible probe, over-temperature alarm
  • Up to 1,200 W at 110 V
  • One controller per 1,200 W of heaters

Under $100, live price on Amazon

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hygger

30 to 36in light

hygger Full Spectrum LED Aquarium Light, 30 to 36 in

  • 30 to 36 in
  • 2,365 lm
  • 24 hour timer

A programmable 24 hour light for 30 to 36 in freshwater tanks, with dawn, day, dusk and moonlight.

  • Fits tanks 30 to 36 in long
  • 2,365 lumens, 6,500 to 10,000 K
  • Built-in timer, IP68
  • For fish and low light plants

Under $100, live price on Amazon

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hygger

48W light

hygger 48 W LED Aquarium Light, 48 to 54 in

  • 48 to 54 in
  • 48 W
  • 24 hour timer

A 48 W light for standard 4 ft freshwater tanks with a sunrise to moonlight cycle.

  • 48 W, 240 LEDs including 665 nm red
  • Fits 48 to 54 in tanks
  • Timer, 10 brightness levels
  • For fish and low light plants

Under $100, live price on Amazon

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Fluval

22W planted light

Fluval Plant 3.0 LED, 22 W, 15 to 24 in

  • 15 to 24 in
  • 22 W
  • App programmable

Fluval's planted tank spectrum in a short fixture for 15 to 24 in tanks.

  • 22 W, fits 15 to 24 in tanks
  • Programmable 24 hour cycle
  • Six band full spectrum
  • Short tanks only

$100 to $250, live price on Amazon

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Fluval

59W planted light

Fluval Plant 3.0 LED, 59 W, 48 to 60 in

  • 48 to 60 in
  • 59 W
  • App programmable

The planted tank standard for 4 to 5 ft tanks: a programmable full spectrum that grows medium and high light plants.

  • 59 W, fits 48 to 60 in tanks
  • Programmable 24 hour cycle and presets
  • 120 degree spread
  • Costs about 3 times a basic 4 ft light

$100 to $250, live price on Amazon

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AquaIllumination

55W reef LED

AquaIllumination AI Prime 16 HD Reef LED

  • App control
  • HD spectrum
  • Moonlight

The most common reef light per square foot: app controlled spectrum and a moonlight channel in a compact puck.

  • App control (myAI, Mobius) and Apex support
  • HD channel power boost
  • Dedicated moonlight
  • One covers about 2 ft of tank; long tanks need several

$250 to $500, live price on Amazon

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AquaIllumination

90W reef LED

AquaIllumination Hydra 32 HD Reef LED

  • High PAR
  • Wireless
  • Moonlight

A bigger, higher PAR AI fixture for SPS reefs and deeper tanks, with wireless control.

  • High PAR output for SPS
  • Wireless control, Apex via MXM
  • Dedicated moonlight
  • Costs about 1.7 times a Prime 16 HD

$250 to $500, live price on Amazon

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Macro Aqua

53gal hang-on skimmer

Macro Aqua M-50 Hang-On Protein Skimmer

  • Up to 53 gal
  • Hang-on-back
  • 238 GPH

A small hang-on-back skimmer for reefs up to about 53 gallons without a sump.

  • Hangs on the tank, no sump needed
  • Rated up to 53 gallons
  • Needle wheel pump
  • Rating depends on fish load

Under $100, live price on Amazon

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Simplicity

120gal skimmer

Simplicity 120 DC Protein Skimmer

  • Up to 120 gal
  • In sump
  • DC pump

An in-sump DC skimmer for reef systems up to 120 gallons, in a 7 x 7 in footprint.

  • Rated up to 120 gallons
  • 7 x 7 x 19 in, in-sump
  • DC pump
  • Needs a sump section at least 7 x 7 in

$250 to $500, live price on Amazon

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AquaReady

80gal hang-on skimmer

AquaReady Bullet-3 Hang-On Protein Skimmer

  • Up to 80 gal
  • Hang-on-back
  • 11 W

A hang-on-back skimmer for reefs up to 80 gallons (40 with a heavy fish load) without a sump.

  • Hangs on the tank, no sump needed
  • Up to 80 gal light load, 40 gal heavy
  • 11 W pump
  • Pricier than most hang-on skimmers

$250 to $500, live price on Amazon

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Simplicity

240gal skimmer

Simplicity 240DC Protein Skimmer

  • Up to 240 gal
  • DC pump
  • Cup drain

An adjustable DC skimmer for reef systems up to 240 gallons.

  • Rated up to 240 gallons
  • Adjustable DC pump speed
  • Cup drain with cap
  • In-sump only

$250 to $500, live price on Amazon

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Reef Octopus

150gal skimmer

Reef Octopus Classic 150INT Protein Skimmer

  • Up to 150 gal
  • In sump
  • Cone body

An in-sump needle wheel skimmer for systems up to 150 gallons, with a full cone body.

  • Rated up to 150 gallons
  • Aquatrance 2000 pinwheel pump
  • 12.4 x 8.7 in footprint, 22 in tall
  • AC pump, not adjustable

$250 to $500, live price on Amazon

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Simplicity

360gal skimmer

Simplicity 320 DC Protein Skimmer

  • Up to 360 gal
  • In sump
  • DC pump

A big in-sump skimmer for systems up to 360 gallons.

  • Rated up to 360 gallons
  • 10 x 9 x 22 in, in-sump
  • DC pump
  • Needs a large sump chamber

$250 to $500, live price on Amazon

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BAOSHISHAN

1/10HP chiller

BAOSHISHAN 1/10 HP Aquarium Chiller

  • Up to 42 gal
  • Titanium coil
  • Pump included

A compressor chiller for reefs up to about 42 gallons, with pump and hoses in the box.

  • 1/10 HP, rated for 42 gallons
  • Cools up to 10 F below room
  • Pump and hoses included
  • Maker suggests 33 gallons in peak summer

$250 to $500, live price on Amazon

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Active Aqua

1/4HP chiller

Active Aqua 1/4 HP Titanium Chiller

  • 40 to 92 gal
  • Titanium
  • Boost mode

A 1/4 HP titanium chiller for 40 to 92 gallons, with a boost mode to pull temperature down fast.

  • 1/4 HP, 40 to 92 gallons
  • Pure titanium evaporator
  • Boost mode
  • Pump and hoses not included

$500 to $1,000, live price on Amazon

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Aquatic Life

100GPD RO/DI

AquaticLife 4-Stage RO/DI, 100 GPD

  • 100 GPD
  • Chloramine carbon
  • Auto shutoff

Makes up to 100 gallons a day of 0 TDS water for salt mixing and top off, with auto shutoff and flush.

  • 100 GPD RO membrane plus DI resin
  • Carbon Plus cartridge for chloramine
  • Pressure gauge, auto shutoff and flush valve
  • Not for drinking water

$100 to $250, live price on Amazon

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Bulk Reef Supply

75GPD RO/DI

Bulk Reef Supply 4 Stage Value Plus RO/DI, 75 GPD

  • 75 GPD
  • TDS meter
  • Auto shutoff

A 75 GPD RO/DI with a built-in TDS meter, so you can see when the membrane or resin is done.

  • 75 GPD, 4 stages
  • Built-in TDS meter and pressure gauge
  • Auto shutoff and flush valve
  • Slower than 100 GPD units

$250 to $500, live price on Amazon

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API

800tests

API Freshwater Master Test Kit

  • 5 tests
  • 800 tests
  • Freshwater

The standard liquid test kit for cycling and weekly checks: pH, high range pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.

  • 800 tests
  • pH, high range pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate
  • Liquid reagents, color card
  • Freshwater only

Under $100, live price on Amazon

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Red Sea

3reef tests

Red Sea Reef Foundation Pro Test Kit

  • Ca, Alk, Mg
  • Titration
  • 60 to 75 tests

Titration tests for calcium, alkalinity and magnesium, the three elements corals use up fastest.

  • Calcium, alkalinity (KH) and magnesium
  • Titration accuracy
  • 75 Ca and KH tests, 60 Mg tests
  • Does not test nitrate or phosphate

Under $100, live price on Amazon

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FZONE

Dual stageCO2 regulator

FZONE Pro Dual Stage CO2 Regulator

  • CGA320
  • 12 V solenoid
  • Needle valve

A dual stage CO2 regulator with a 12 V solenoid, needle valve and bubble counter for planted tanks.

  • Dual stage: no end-of-tank dump
  • 12 V solenoid works with a light timer
  • Two needle valves for one or two tanks
  • Cylinder and diffuser sold separately

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How this calculator works

  1. Volume. Length x width x height in inches / 231 = gallons by the glass. Water fills to an inch below the rim, less the substrate (2 in gravel, 3 in planted soil, 1.5 in reef sand, 40% of it pore water) and rock (1 lb per gallon for reefs at about 0.04 gallons per lb). A sump adds 20% of the display.
  2. Weight. Fresh water 8.34 lb per gallon, salt water about 8.55. Glass at 156 lb per cubic foot with panel thickness by height (8 mm to 21 in, 10 mm to 24 in, 12 mm to 30 in, 15 mm above). Substrate about 95 lb per cubic foot, plus the stand and equipment. Floor load is the total over the stand footprint, compared with the 40 psf living area live load in IRC Table R301.5.
  3. Flow. Turnover per hour: 5x for fish, 7x for planted, 4x sump return for reefs. Canisters deliver about 65% of their label once loaded and DC return pumps about 70% at 4 to 5 ft of head, so we size to the label divided by those. Reef total flow: 20x soft, 30x LPS, 45x SPS, with powerheads making up the difference.
  4. Heat. 0.3 W per gallon per degree F of lift, sized for at least a 10 F lift, split across two heaters at 40 gallons and up. Average draw is about half the sized capacity at your actual lift. A reef gets a chiller when the room comes within about 2 F of the target, since lights and pumps add 2 to 4 F.
  5. Light and cost. Reef targets of 50 to 150 PAR for soft corals, 100 to 200 for LPS and 250 to 400 for SPS; we assume one compact reef LED per 24 in of tank (18 in for SPS). Running cost adds the heater average, filter and pumps all day, lights for your hours at about 70% for reef fixtures, and a 25 W skimmer, at your state's average residential rate.

Worked examples

A 75 gallon planted tank

  • 48 x 18 x 21 in
  • Planted, medium light, no sump
  • Room 70 F, tank 76 F, 8 hours of light
  • US average rate, 17.3 cents/kWh

67 gallons of water, about 915 lb filled. A 925 GPH canister, two 100 W heaters, a 59 W planted light. About $15 a month.

48 x 18 x 21 / 231 is 78.5 gallons by the glass. Take off an inch of freeboard, 3 inches of soil and some hardscape and about 67 gallons of water remain, 557 lb of it. Glass, soil, rock and the stand bring the total near 915 lb. Plants want 5 to 10 turnovers, so 7x is 467 GPH at the tank, about 720 GPH on a canister label, which is FX6 territory. Sized for a 10 F lift, it takes 200 W, split into two 100 W heaters. Heat averages about 60 W, the filter 43 W and the light 20 W over the day: about $15 a month.

A 90 gallon LPS reef with a sump

  • 48 x 18 x 24 in, drilled overflow
  • LPS corals, 16 gallon sump
  • Room 72 F, tank 78 F, 9 hours of light
  • US average rate

95 gallons in the system, about 1,260 lb. A 1,450 GPH DC return, two 2,113 GPH wavemakers, two AI Prime 16 HD lights. About $25 a month.

About 79 gallons in the display after sand and 90 lb of rock, plus a 16 gallon sump, at 8.55 lb per gallon of salt water. A 4x return is 316 GPH. LPS corals want about 30x the volume in total flow, 2,369 GPH, so two wavemakers add the rest from opposite ends. Two Prime 16 HD fixtures cover 48 inches at LPS light, 100 to 200 PAR. The heaters total 285 W in two units with a controller as backup. About 205 W averaged over the day, or $25 a month.

A 150 gallon SPS reef, 60 x 24 x 24

  • 60 x 24 x 24 in
  • SPS corals, 26 gallon sump
  • Room 72 F, tank 78 F, 9 hours of light
  • US average rate

About 2,000 lb on 10 sq ft. Three wavemakers, four Prime 16 HD fixtures, two 250 W heaters. About $38 a month. Get the floor checked.

158 gallons in the system and about 2,000 lb, or 200 lb per sq ft on the stand footprint, five times the 40 psf live load living room floors are designed for. On a wood floor that is a job for a structural engineer, or put it on a slab. SPS want 30 to 50x flow, so about 5,900 GPH in total: a 1,450 GPH return plus three 2,113 GPH wavemakers. At SPS light, one Prime 16 HD covers about 18 inches, so four span 60. The 473 W of heat splits into two 250 W heaters. About $38 a month to run.

Frequently asked questions

How do I calculate how many gallons my aquarium holds?

Multiply length x width x height in inches and divide by 231. A 48 x 18 x 21 in tank is 78.5 gallons by the glass. Real water is less: the water line sits about an inch below the rim, and sand, gravel and rock take space, so a 75 gallon tank usually holds 65 to 70 gallons of water.

How much does a 75 gallon aquarium weigh full?

About 850 to 950 lb set up. The water alone is about 560 lb at 8.34 lb per gallon; glass adds about 100 lb, 2 to 3 inches of gravel or sand 70 to 150 lb, plus rock, the stand and equipment. Salt water is about 2.5% heavier.

Can my floor hold a big aquarium?

Living area floors are designed for a 40 lb per sq ft live load spread across the room (IRC Table R301.5). A filled tank puts 100 to 250 lb per sq ft on its footprint, which the floor carries by sharing it across joists. Most homes handle a 55 to 75 gallon tank on a sound floor. Above about 1,000 to 1,500 lb, set the tank across the joists near a load-bearing wall, or on a slab, and have an engineer or contractor look at anything bigger. Our numbers are estimates, not an engineering check.

What size canister filter do I need?

Aim for 4 to 6 turnovers an hour for fish and 5 to 10 for planted tanks, and remember the label is the flow with no media. Fluval lists the 407 at 383 GPH on the pump but 245 GPH through loaded media, about 64%, so we divide your target by 0.65. A 55 gallon at 5x needs about 254 GPH at the tank, or 390 GPH on the box.

How many watts of heater do I need?

About 3 W per gallon to hold the tank 10 F above the room, and proportionally more for a colder room: 0.3 W per gallon per degree. On anything over 40 gallons, split it into two heaters so a heater stuck on heats more slowly and a dead one leaves half the heat. Big systems often heat in the sump with titanium elements on a separate controller.

How much flow does a reef tank need?

Return flow through the sump of 3 to 5 times the volume an hour, plus total in-tank flow of about 10 to 20x for soft corals, 20 to 30x for LPS and 30 to 50x for SPS, from powerheads on opposite sides so the flow changes direction.

How much does it cost to run an aquarium?

Heat is usually the biggest part, and it depends on the gap between room and tank. A 75 gallon planted tank at 6 F above the room runs about $15 a month at the US average rate, a 90 gallon reef about $25, and a 150 gallon SPS reef about $38, before a chiller in summer.

Do I need a chiller for a reef tank?

If the room gets within about 2 F of your target in summer, yes, or cool the room. Lights and pumps push water 2 to 4 F above room temperature, and corals stress above about 82 F. Size it by system gallons: about 1/10 HP to 40 gallons, 1/4 HP to 90, and 1/3 to 1/2 HP beyond.

What size sump do I need?

About 20 to 25% of the display volume, with enough empty space left to hold the water that drains down from the display and overflow when the return pump stops. Fill it, switch the return off and mark the level the first time.

What should I think about for an in-wall aquarium?

Weight first: a wall-mounted tank still sits on a stand or framed platform that carries it to the floor. Then access from behind for maintenance, a sump below, ventilation for the equipment room, and a drain or a floor that can take a spill. Keep the tank depth at 24 inches or less unless you can reach in from above.

Marcus Reed

Founder and Editor, CrunchYourDollars

Marcus Reed builds the sizing tools on CrunchYourDollars. He is a software engineer with a long-running PC hardware and power supply habit, which is where the watts, watt-hours and surge math on this site comes from. Product specs are pulled from manufacturer data sheets, electricity rates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, and water chemistry rules from the Water Quality Association. He is not a licensed electrician or plumber: the tools show the math and the matching models so you can make the call, and anything involving your electrical panel should be checked by a licensed pro.

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