The-Wolf
Ex-LFS manager/ keeper of over 30 danio species
How do I work out the volume of my tank?
This is relatively simple using one of the following formulas.
V = L” x W” x H” x Z or
V = L cm x W cm x H cm x Z
Z is a conversion factor that converts the answer from cubic centimetres
(cm ³) or cubic inches (in³) to volume.
See below for the value.
1 in³ = 0.016387064 litres
1 in³ = 0.00360464866 Imperial gallons
1 in³ = 0.00432900431 US gallons
1 cm ³ = 0.001 litres
1 cm ³ = 0.000219969157 Imperial gallons
1 cm ³ = 0.000264172051 US gallons
However to get a true volume you must measure the inside of the tank and not the outside. For instance a tank measuring 24” X 12” x 15” (70.8ltr) on the outside may only be 23 ¾ x 11 ½ x 14 ¾ (66ltr) on the inside; that is already a 4.8 litre difference, not much for 6mm tanks but when you have 10,12 mm etc glass tanks the difference can be considerable.
Additionally you should only measure to your fill line not to the top of the tank. (Working out the volume to the top is actually working out the total volume of air the tank holds.)
So a 23 ¾ x 11 ½ x 14 ¾ (66ltr) tank may have a fill line of 13” (58ltr); as you can see that is already a reduction of 12.8 Litres. From the original 70.8ltr tank
You could get more specific and work out the displacement of your substrate and décor, but I feel this would be unnecessary.
If you wish to you could do it the following way for a new set up.
Half fill the tank with water. Mark the water line with a black marker pen or piece of tape. Add your substrate and decorations (rocks, wood etc). Now note the higher water level, for arguments sake say it is ½ inch higher.
Use the formulae L” x W” x ½” x Z = D (D is the displacement of the substrate and décor). Remember Z is the conversion factor from in³ to volume.
Subtract D from V to give you your total volume of water.
Of course this doesn’t include the displacement of the actual fish, but again I feel this would be negligible
This is relatively simple using one of the following formulas.
V = L” x W” x H” x Z or
V = L cm x W cm x H cm x Z
Z is a conversion factor that converts the answer from cubic centimetres
(cm ³) or cubic inches (in³) to volume.
See below for the value.
1 in³ = 0.016387064 litres
1 in³ = 0.00360464866 Imperial gallons
1 in³ = 0.00432900431 US gallons
1 cm ³ = 0.001 litres
1 cm ³ = 0.000219969157 Imperial gallons
1 cm ³ = 0.000264172051 US gallons
However to get a true volume you must measure the inside of the tank and not the outside. For instance a tank measuring 24” X 12” x 15” (70.8ltr) on the outside may only be 23 ¾ x 11 ½ x 14 ¾ (66ltr) on the inside; that is already a 4.8 litre difference, not much for 6mm tanks but when you have 10,12 mm etc glass tanks the difference can be considerable.
Additionally you should only measure to your fill line not to the top of the tank. (Working out the volume to the top is actually working out the total volume of air the tank holds.)
So a 23 ¾ x 11 ½ x 14 ¾ (66ltr) tank may have a fill line of 13” (58ltr); as you can see that is already a reduction of 12.8 Litres. From the original 70.8ltr tank
You could get more specific and work out the displacement of your substrate and décor, but I feel this would be unnecessary.
If you wish to you could do it the following way for a new set up.
Half fill the tank with water. Mark the water line with a black marker pen or piece of tape. Add your substrate and decorations (rocks, wood etc). Now note the higher water level, for arguments sake say it is ½ inch higher.
Use the formulae L” x W” x ½” x Z = D (D is the displacement of the substrate and décor). Remember Z is the conversion factor from in³ to volume.
Subtract D from V to give you your total volume of water.
Of course this doesn’t include the displacement of the actual fish, but again I feel this would be negligible
