gallon label on tanks accurate?

Discussion in 'General Reef Topics' started by Kyfishguy, Dec 13, 2012.

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  1. Kyfishguy

    Kyfishguy Astrea Snail

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    Do aquariums hold as much water as they claim? Anyone ever got the feeling they don't?

    this is what i got after measuring my 55 gallon

    You provided measurements in inches:
    Width: 47.5" (120.65cm)
    Height: 20" (50.8cm)
    Depth: 12" (30.48cm)
    Your tank's volume is approximately 11,400.0 cubic inches or 49.4 U.S. gallons, which is approximately 192.0 liters.
     
    Last edited: Dec 13, 2012
    Kyfishguy, Dec 13, 2012
    Kyfishguy, Dec 13, 2012
    #1

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  2. Daniel072

    Daniel072 Giant Squid

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    Your tank should be actually 48 inches. Were you ripped off by .5 inch?
     
    Daniel072, Dec 13, 2012
    Daniel072, Dec 13, 2012
    #2
  3. Flaring Afro

    Flaring Afro Purple Spiny Lobster

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    Were you measuring the inside or outside?
     
    Flaring Afro, Dec 13, 2012
    Flaring Afro, Dec 13, 2012
    #3
  4. Gresham

    Gresham Great Blue Whale

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    Yes, many commercially produced tanks do not live up to the gallonage stated. Typically they use OD for the dims, technically you need to use ID.
     
    Gresham, Dec 13, 2012
    Gresham, Dec 13, 2012
    #4
  5. Flaring Afro

    Flaring Afro Purple Spiny Lobster

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    It depends on the tank. Even if you take out half an inch for each dimension in mine, it's still over 40 gallons.
     
    Flaring Afro, Dec 13, 2012
    Flaring Afro, Dec 13, 2012
    #5
  6. Gresham

    Gresham Great Blue Whale

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    Depends on the manufacturer. Commercially produced tanks rarely change dims from tank build to tank build.
     
    Gresham, Dec 13, 2012
    Gresham, Dec 13, 2012
    #6

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  7. Marshall O

    Marshall O Giant Squid

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    From what I know, as mentioned a lot of manufacturers use the outside dimensions instead of inside. I can tell you my 55 is the same, and is very close to 50 gallons. Same thing with my 28 Nano. They basically include the height of the cover/light in the height dimension. So there is actually closer to 24 gallons.
     
    Marshall O, Dec 14, 2012
    Marshall O, Dec 14, 2012
    #7
  8. Kyfishguy

    Kyfishguy Astrea Snail

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    Good talk everyone. I am dosing copper and this scares me.
     
    Kyfishguy, Dec 14, 2012
    Kyfishguy, Dec 14, 2012
    #8
  9. Thatgrimguy

    Thatgrimguy Flying Squid

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    40 breeders are closer to 45 gallons as well
     
    Thatgrimguy, Dec 15, 2012
    Thatgrimguy, Dec 15, 2012
    #9
  10. m2434

    m2434 Giant Squid

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    I think they build the tanks to fit even L x W x H dimensions and then round the volume to something, not too far off, that sounds good LOL.
     
    m2434, Dec 15, 2012
    m2434, Dec 15, 2012
    #10
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