stardotstar
Sat Sep 23, 2006, 03:24 PM
I find it interesting that when I calculate a tank volume by simple mathematics I get a figure that I know must be more than the volume of water that the tank will ultimately contain once features, substrate and other material is subtracted from the level the tank is filled to anyway, but when I read brochures I can't work out if they use a percentage to average this or some other rule of thumb...
ie
(186x50x76)/1000=706.8 but the brochure specs the tank at 540L
and
(156x46x69)/1000=495 but product specs list 370L tank
(123x46x67)/1000=379 but listed at 285L
all these figures are less than 80% of the total physical volume - can anyone tell me what kind of rule is generally applied to this.
Clearly it has something to do with the recommended volume of water associated with equipment like filter flow rates and capacities, heater suitability and tank construction.
My tank is to be 153x46x61 which physically is a standard 5'x1.5'x2' tank at a physical volume of 112.5 gallons or 423L but clearly it will be more like 340L at a 10% rule - I will have a sand substrate - not planted and some simple minimalist driftwood and probably fill to within a couple of cm of the top.
ie
(186x50x76)/1000=706.8 but the brochure specs the tank at 540L
and
(156x46x69)/1000=495 but product specs list 370L tank
(123x46x67)/1000=379 but listed at 285L
all these figures are less than 80% of the total physical volume - can anyone tell me what kind of rule is generally applied to this.
Clearly it has something to do with the recommended volume of water associated with equipment like filter flow rates and capacities, heater suitability and tank construction.
My tank is to be 153x46x61 which physically is a standard 5'x1.5'x2' tank at a physical volume of 112.5 gallons or 423L but clearly it will be more like 340L at a 10% rule - I will have a sand substrate - not planted and some simple minimalist driftwood and probably fill to within a couple of cm of the top.