How do I determine the true volume in my tank?

Discussion in 'New To The Hobby' started by khpddog, Feb 16, 2008.

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  1. khpddog

    khpddog Astrea Snail

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    I am trying to decide what size powerheads and return pump to purchase for a 210g FOWLR (with the idea of adding some coral in the futrure). Based on what I have read the ext. pump should be 10x's the total volume and the turnover inside the tank should be about 30/hr. How do I determine the volume assuming the following:

    The things I know so far:
    1) I plan on having a 75g refugium.
    2) 210lbs of live rock.
    3) The suggested amount of sand.
    4) 210g tank.
    How do you figure/convert this into total volume?

    Any suggestions for equipment?
     
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  3. Camilsky

    Camilsky Montipora Capricornis

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    Have you ever heard about the Arichemdes Law?! Archimedes - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
    LOl...

    Small hint no 1:
    How many lbs of water will flush from a perfectly filled swimming pool if a 300lbs guy jumps into it ?! :)

    Small hint no 2:
    What is the density of water at 25C ?! What is the volume of 1 gal of water under this temperature conditions ?!
     
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  4. khpddog

    khpddog Astrea Snail

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    What is the temp in the pool? If its warm enough jump in and let me know.
     
  5. chuckdee

    chuckdee Peppermint Shrimp

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    Ouch!!! lol
     
  6. Camilsky

    Camilsky Montipora Capricornis

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    LOL ... 25C :)

    You will have approx 170gal of water after addition of LR. IF you decide to add approx. 100lbs of sand you end up with ~ 150 gal of water! 8)
     
  7. khpddog

    khpddog Astrea Snail

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    Thanks for the advice. Did you include the 75g for the refugium in your calculation or should I add that to the number you came up to get the total system volume.
     
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  9. Camilsky

    Camilsky Montipora Capricornis

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    Please add 75 gal! It seems you would have 225gal! Wow! Impressive :) Good luck! Post some photos! :)
     
  10. baugherb

    baugherb Giant Squid

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    Did anyone mention pics??? lol
     
  11. Jadefox

    Jadefox Plankton

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    You will also need to decide whether you are comfortable returning more water per hour than you can skim. I do in my tank; in my 240-gallon system, I run about 2400 GPH through my return pump (once head pressure has been calculated), and my skimmer handles about 1800 GPH. With my CLS factored in, I am turning over water about 40+ times an hour.
     
  12. Otty

    Otty Giant Squid

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    Never heard of that one before. Who cooked that saying up?? :loco: