hi new to saltwater/reef tank. began my set up after preliminary research. Went to local store and purchased six 4.4 gallon (= 26.4 gallons) RO DI water jugs bc i read biocube tend to take less than stated amount plus water displacement. filled it with four jugs added 30 pounds sand and about 25 pounds live rock and it's totally full. how can that be? I've read on forums 26 gallons 25 gallons even 22 gallons but 17 gallons? any thoughts? any help would be greatly appreciated.
but be careful with mass and volume equations... it really is apples to oranges as different density rock can displace different volume despite the same weight.
This is one reason why I advocate for minimalist rock/sand. In small nano tanks, you should use as little rock (and sand) as possible as every gallon counts.
Yes, it was a good ballpark calc. Factor in any air that might be trapped in the rock lattice structure or less dense rock and potential differences in aragonite sand. I have seen differences between crushed coral sized substrate and oolite, especially in new tanks. Depending on what he has, any additional air displacement, I have seen surprising little water in some heavily rock/sand-ed tank.
As an owner of a fire breathing 6.2L V8, I can surely attest to this adage :thumbup:
Also, i've found that your standard rectangle aquariums can be under rated. For example, a 10G is 2400 cubic inches (20x12x10), which equates to roughly 10.4 gallons. that is if you filled it to the brim. A 40 Breeder at 36 x 18 x 16 technically is 44 gallons.
I had approx. 18-19 gallons of water in my 29 biocube when I had a full sand bed, and 21lbs of live rock. Now I have about 30lbs of live rock, and am just about bare bottom (2 more water changes), and I think I've only gained approx a gallon or two...
i was instructed to fill the tank 5/8 full while totally empty and mix in the salt using the Koralia to help with dilution. i put in three 4.4 gallons into empty tank and was already about 5/8. so yes 17 gallon included rear chamber. I'm not upset just confused. the jugs are definitely 4.4 the tank is supposed to be 29. there is a huge discrepancy. Even at the higher estimations of water displacement I'm still missing water and my floor is dry so its not leaking out.
The tank might be about 29g if it was completely empty (even the false wall removed) and brimmed to the very top. Surprisingly, most tanks of often not quite what they claim to be.
the technical rep there told me oceanic biocube 29 is not 29 gallon its size 29 which means of you would build a glass box around the entire tank i.e lid, bottom and all four sides that box would hold 29 gallons. honestly i dont even think thats the case but he gave me an honest direct answer. thanks all of you for the help.
i spoke to the manufacture. the individual at the company i spoke to himself owns a biocube 29. He told me he has 18 gallons in his tank. i have 30 lbs sand 25 lb LR = 17ish. The correct way according to how he explained it to me was this. when you buy a new biocube 29 the box it comes in should hold 29 gallons.
Did you ever get a chance to measure the 29g biocube? The bowed glass isn't a big deal just hold a straight edge next to it. Just curious to see if the rep. even knows what he's talking about.
I have measured the front part of the tank and it is roughly 19" x 15.5" x 15" (wlh) (the bow goes from 15" to 16") so using the calculation I get 19.1 gal. The back sections 1,2 and 3 are 4 x 9 x 6 wide and are 4" deep and 15" high so that adds 1.0 gal, 2.3 gal and 1.6 gal or 4.9 gal and the total water would then be 24.0 gal. I wanted to know since I am filling my tank for the first time as I type this and want to know how much salt to begin with.
I am very disappointed and surprised this hasn't come up in any other reading I have done. I was hesitant to purchase the tank due to some reviews, but there are a lot of success stories on youtube. There needs to be some disclaimer with all these nano tanks as to their real volume so everyone purchasing them can make an informed decision.
I guess tank manufacturers have adopted the lumber industry rules, a 2 x 4 is never 2" x 4", it's only "nominal". Long lost are the days of a "bakers dozen" when you actually get a little more than what you pay for!
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