Figuring out Tank Dimensions

[neesejohn]

'ello,

So, I've been thinking about designing some tanks that will be longer but only about 6 - 7 inches deep.

Question: In order for a tank to be 55 gallons, at 6.5 inches deep, what would be the length and the width? I'm thinking, roughly 72 inches long, and about 31.5 inches long...

If a normal 55 is about 48 1/4 x 12 3/4 x 21...

Am I right? What's your opinion on this?

Thanks so much!

Happy Fishkeeping,
John

[Vaudeville]

Hey John
I was wondering the about a std. formula as well.
I was able to purchase 3 tanks on Craig List just before Christmas.They were at his storage shed.
He said they were his sons and needed to get rid of them.
He said that he remembered that one was 48x20x25 tall and he could not remember the others but they were about the same size. The sizes were for a 90 gal. so I went out to see (I only knew that it was a 90 as thats what I had).
When I got out there the 3 tanks were not show tanks (some broken trim), but they were solid.
I turned out that there were 2 90s and a larger one 72x20x25 tall which came with a oak top.
I had to do a lot of calling and thanks to Lisa a LFB I was able to find out that it was a 120.
Not bad all 3 for $50.00 I just wished I would have had that info before hand.
What is the reason for the low height and what are you using it for?
Would you still need to put in some bracing?
I think if someone (smarter than me) could come up with a formula it could help us all out.
Rob

[dreday]

72x30x6 should give you 55g. for angels or something???

[neesejohn]

Neh, just something I'm piddling around with.

Perhaps some Polypterus sp., Some A. Anableps, or even some Toxotes...

Of curse a tight fitting lid would be mandatory at this height but just something I've been toying with.

John

[fishandfire]

Volume in gallons of a rectangle is (LxWxH)/231

A tank that is 6.5 inches deep and 72 inches long would have to be 37 inches wide to give you 74.961 gallons

[fishmaven]

A reminder, for planning purposes… manufacturers use the outside dimensions of a tank, giving you the tank displacement, NOT the capacity of the tank. To determine the volume that the tank will hold, use the inside dimensions. When determining the level of meds for a tank you need to use the actual volume of water in the tank, not the capacity or the displacement.

You also need an air space below the lid of the tank to aerate the water. If the water level were against the lid the fish would suffocate. Usually filling the water until the waterline is hidden by the trim will allow a large enough air space without contributing to the noise of an outside filter return.
Dan

[fishandfire]

A reminder, for planning purposes… manufacturers use the outside dimensions of a tank, giving you the tank displacement, NOT the capacity of the tank. To determine the volume that the tank will hold, use the inside dimensions. When determining the level of meds for a tank you need to use the actual volume of water in the tank, not the capacity or the displacement.

You also need an air space below the lid of the tank to aerate the water. If the water level were against the lid the fish would suffocate. Usually filling the water until the waterline is hidden by the trim will allow a large enough air space without contributing to the noise of an outside filter return.
Dan

Very good points that I forgot to include when I did my calculations.