Saltwater Aquarist

Use these reef calculators to estimate tank volume, sand, salt mix, alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, GFO, carbon, and electricity cost. Tap an icon to open a calculator. Figures are estimates — confirm with your test kits and product labels.

Handy reef math for tank volume, sand, salt mix, alk/cal/mag dosing, media, and power cost. Enter your numbers and get a clear estimate — always verify with a test kit and follow product labels.

Water Volume

Choose your tank shape and enter the measurements shown. Fill depth is how high the water is filled.

US gallons = cubic inches ÷ 231. Fill depth cannot exceed height.

Sand Bed

Pick your tank footprint shape, sand depth, and sand type to estimate how much dry sand to buy.

Weight ≈ (base area × sand depth) ÷ 1728 × density (lb/ft³). Round up to the next bag size.

Salt Mix

Estimate how much salt mix to add for a new batch or to raise salinity on existing water.

New batches usually start at 0 ppt. Mix in RO/DI and confirm with a calibrated refractometer. Approx. SG ≈ 1 + ppt/1315 at 77°F.

Alkalinity Supplement

Enter volume, current and target alkalinity, and your additive.

1 dKH ≈ 17.86 ppm CaCO₃ ≈ 0.357 meq/L. Dose slowly and retest.

Calcium Supplement

Enter volume, current and target calcium, and your additive.

Magnesium Supplement

Enter volume, current and target magnesium, and your additive.

GFO Media

Enter system volume and GFO type for a starting media amount.

Carbon Media

Enter system volume and carbon type for a starting dose.

Saltwater Aquarist
Aquarist Reef — Electric Billsaltwater.aquarist.com/reef-calculators/#electric

Electric Bill

Enter your cost per kWh, then wattage, hours per day, and months per year for each device. Totals update as you type.

Device Wattage Hours Used
Day
Months Used
Year
$ Cost
Year
$ Cost
Month
kWh
Day
kWh
Month
kWh
Year
Remove
Totals $0.00 $0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00