found out the real amount of gallons on the tank

[ty_05_f]

I bought my tank secound hand from a friends sister and she told us it was 29 gallons come to find out today it is only 25 gallons. Well just thought i'd let everyone know.

 

[melissa v.]

HOW DID YOU FIND OUT?
MELISSA V.

 

[slick]

I think all tanks aren't what they are labeled as. I don't have the formula to figure it out but I know they round up.

 

[timo]

L x W x H divided by 231 = gallons.

 

[timo]

Ask Pythagorean!!! No, just kidding, Got a book, "the S.W. aqurium handbook" by George Blasiola, where that formula is stated. 231...I guess it's just a magic number!!!

 

[timo]

Yea, try it. I think, as the thread starter stated, that many tanks are overrated, to help them sell... Sometimes with the seller having best intentions. I posted this equasion awhile back in it's own thread, for just that reason.

 

[ty_05_f]

well now i guess my lighting is better with the smaller tank than with an extra 4 gallons. Thats a good thing.

 

[ty_05_f]

Always have to think positive

 

[leigh]

231 is the number of cubic inches in a gallon (US, liquid)...both cubic inches and gallons are measures of volume...the conversion is just: 231 in^3=1 gallon
and yes, all our tanks are smaller than advertised realistically--advertised measures all the outside dimensions...a standard 55 gal long tank holds about 51 gal if i remember correctly...

 

[elan]

much like one cubic meter is equal to one thousand liters of water... and one liter of water is one kilo....
but its way to much fun to figure out why one gallon is 8.2 lbs, and how much is in one cubic foot???....ahh.. thats where the wonderful 231 comes in.........
that damn metric system is too confusing...

 

[ty_05_f]

i think the metric system is easier than ours.

 

[dvs]

So then what happens when you have a bow front?
lol
Jen

 

[elan]

Originally posted by Ty_05_f
i think the metric system is easier than ours.
i was being facetious

 

[elan]

Originally posted by DVS
So then what happens when you have a bow front?
lol
Jen
geometry comes in handy then

 

[ty_05_f]

Geometry that was a great class.

 

[timo]

Isn't it pie = mc triangled?

 

[ty_05_f]

Just a little off there timo lol

 

[livingwater]

LxWxH (231)......you must subtract the material also. I have 1.3inches of acrylic on my 280. And also subtract the liverock used and any decorative coral. this done best when you set the tank up.
Take all the LR out of the tank when you first set it up (after being filled) then take measurements with tape measure. This is very important when medicating a tank.(even tho you dont medicate LR) Or adding anything to it. Hope that helps

 

[leigh]

or (and this is for you bowfront people) you can just count how many 5 gallon buckets of water it took you to fill the tank

 

[ty_05_f]

food for thought.