Aquarium Capacity Formula:
From: | To: |
Aquarium capacity refers to the total volume of water a fish tank can hold, measured in gallons. Knowing your tank's exact volume is essential for proper fish stocking, filtration setup, and medication dosing.
The calculator uses the standard aquarium volume formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the cubic volume in inches and converts it to gallons using the standard conversion factor of 231 cubic inches per gallon.
Details: Accurate volume calculation is crucial for determining appropriate fish population, selecting proper filtration systems, calculating medication doses, and maintaining water quality parameters.
Tips: Measure the internal dimensions of your aquarium (excluding glass thickness). Enter length, width, and height in inches. All values must be positive numbers.
Q1: Why use 231 as the conversion factor?
A: 231 cubic inches equals exactly 1 US gallon, which is the standard measurement for aquarium capacity in the United States.
Q2: Should I include substrate and decorations in my calculation?
A: No, calculate the total internal volume. Substrate and decorations displace water, so actual water volume will be less than calculated capacity.
Q3: How does tank shape affect volume calculation?
A: This calculator is for rectangular tanks. Cylindrical, bow-front, or hexagonal tanks require different formulas based on their geometry.
Q4: What's the difference between US gallons and imperial gallons?
A: US gallons (3.785 liters) are used in this calculator. Imperial gallons (4.546 liters) are larger and used in some countries.
Q5: How accurate should my measurements be?
A: For best results, measure to the nearest 1/8 inch (0.125 inches) as small errors can compound in volume calculations.