Home
Back
Fish Tank Volume Formula:
| From: | To: |
Fish tank volume calculation determines the capacity of an aquarium in gallons by measuring its length, width, and height. This is essential for proper fish stocking, filtration setup, and water treatment.
The calculator uses the standard aquarium volume formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the cubic volume of the tank and converts it to gallons using the standard conversion factor of 231 cubic inches per gallon.
Details: Knowing your tank's exact volume is crucial for determining appropriate fish stocking levels, calculating proper medication dosages, setting up adequate filtration, and maintaining water quality.
Tips: Measure the inside dimensions of your tank in inches. Enter length, width, and height as decimal numbers. All values must be positive numbers greater than zero.
Q1: Why use 231 as the conversion factor?
A: 231 cubic inches equals exactly 1 US gallon, which is the standard conversion used in aquarium calculations.
Q2: Should I include substrate and decorations in my calculations?
A: For water volume only, subtract approximately 10-15% to account for substrate, decorations, and equipment displacement.
Q3: What's the difference between US gallons and imperial gallons?
A: US gallons (231 in³) are smaller than imperial gallons (277.42 in³). This calculator uses US gallons, which is standard for aquarium measurements.
Q4: How accurate is this calculation for irregularly shaped tanks?
A: This formula is for rectangular tanks. For cylindrical tanks, use π × radius² × height / 231. For bow-front or irregular shapes, use manufacturer specifications.
Q5: Why is knowing tank volume important for fish health?
A: Proper stocking density (inches of fish per gallon) and accurate medication dosing depend on knowing the exact water volume to prevent overcrowding and toxicity.