Data collection of nominal vs actual tank volume

[SnakeIce]

I have a thought to collect measurements of standard glass tanks to have a reference for tank volume. I think it could be of some help in discussions on how much medication, stocking levels, etc to have the real initial volume of a particular standard tank.

Now this has to be measured from the inside dimensions, which is easy to see on the length and width. The height should be measured from the bottom to the underside of the flange on the rim. When you add your measurements post them in this form

Nominal Standard size(brand, year purchased), actual size
Multiply: Length in inches, width in inches, height in inches, divided by 231= xxx

For example,

20 long(brand, 2006), actual size 16.88 gallons
L*W*H/231=
29.5*11.75*11.25/231=16.88108... brand forgotten

10 (brand, 2004ish), actual size 9.16 gallons
L*W*H/231=
19.3125*9.6875*11.3125/231=9.16213... brand forgotten

If you don't feel like doing the calculation that is ok as well. I would be pleased with submissions that are given in inches and fractions as well if that makes it easier. (example 12 11/16ths, 20 3/4,

Check your tanks even if there is a measurement given to see if there is any variation, and if there is not a size reported yet please add it. I hope to make a single post in a new thread with the collected information so it is all in one place and organized once there is enough submissions to make it useful to do so.

 

[SnakeIce]

Visited a lfs today and measured some of their new tanks, and attempted to measure one of their displays.

Deep blue brand

20 high 24.5 long, 11 15/16 wide, 15 3/4 tall 19.94 gal .3% less than nominal
29 30.5 long, 11 13/16 wide, 17 5/8 tall 27.48 gal 8.69% less than nominal
75 47.5 long, 17.5 wide, 19 5/8 tall 70.62 gal 5.8% less than nominal

brand unknown display 125
71 3/8 long, 18 1/8 wide, 22 tall 123.2 gal 1.4% less than nominal

 

[fishorama]

Interesting topic, the only tank I've "heard of" containing more (or even = to) the nominal amount is 1 of the "breeder" tanks (a 40g, 60g?)...then there's the substrate & décor that impact actual water volume for dosing drugs or ferts. My current attitude for WCs is total tank depth (sic)/per water change. Today I did an 18g (30-35%) WC in a 75g (20",~7" WC) based on tank height + ! 1.5-2 inches of sand substrate...very different than nominal "volume". Bigger tanks often have thicker glass as had a "homemade" 40g, weighed a TON, rimless w/a middle bottom glass brace? No wonder it was cheap, no one wanted to move it ever again!

 

[SnakeIce]

Yes every 40 breeder I've measured contain a small decimal over 40 gallons. It isn't enough over to say it isn't just measurement error accounting for the extra though, so I say they are right on.

 

[Narwhal72]

Snakeice. Did you measure the outside or the inside of the aquariums? Because the outside dimensions do not account for the volume taken up by the glass, silicone, and frame. Net volume will be less.

 

[SnakeIce]

Inside of course, usually if you measure outside the frame, which sticks out beyond the glass, you get the nominal volume the tank goes by. The measurements given by most tank size pages are all outside measurements which are for the most part fall on integer inch sizing. The reason I've got fractions of an inch on my measurements is because I'm going for inside dimensions.