26 doesn't mean 26 gallons!

[MizTanks]

For 5 years now I've had the Aqueon 26 bow front. I've always assumed that the 26 meant that it was 26 gallons. But after entering the exact measurements into a volume calculator 24.2" x 14.8" x 20.9 it actually turns out that it is 32.405 gallon.

Can anyone explain to me why then it is refereed as being a 26?

[demonclownfish]

i think the volume calculator you may have used was built for rectangular tanks maybe and doesnt take in the difference in the front bow panel. it probably is 26g

[MizTanks]

Why would the bow make a difference? I've entered the exact measurements. Your telling me that a slight bow in the front causes the tank to lose almost 6 gallons in volume?

[demonclownfish]

6" of width added to a 90g tank adds 30g of water volume, so its very well possible?

[jimsflies]

I think your calculations are off... if anything tank manufacturers exaggerate their volumes.

[MizTanks]

The measurements I entered are that of the manufactures and I used this to get those gallons. http://reefnutrition.com/feed_calculator.html
And this one: http://www.angelfish.net/tankvolcalc.php
And this one: http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/converter/volume-calculator.php

They all give me 32.4g

Sent from my iPhone 4s using Tapatalk

[jimsflies]

You should use the one we have on CR :smash:

Are you accounting for the bow front?

HINT: TANK VOLUME CALCULATOR (http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/tank-volume-calculator.html)

[Hopkins]

You need another dimension in order to properly calculate the volume of your bowfront. Right now you are entering dimensions into a calculator for a perfect rectangle, which your tank is not. CR has a calculator for bowfronts, but you will need the 4th dimension(ooooooh I'm in the 4th dimension). Measure the width, height, and depth in two places(shortest and longest). If you can get that, the calculator will do the rest.

[jimsflies]

Or you if you have a problem with our calculator (not sure why you would...maybe its the apocalypse or something)... you could calculate the volume a rectangle using the end widths, then do another volume using the middle width (as if it were that wide at the ends) and average them....if would get you pretty close. In fact, you would be getting the volume as if there was a triangle shaped front on your tank.

Either way...like Chort mentioned above, the volume you calculate isn't what is really in your tank once you add rocks and sand. My 29 gallon biocube for example has around 22 gallons in it.

[MizTanks]

Ok using the CR TVC I get 34.1g On the other ones I didn't give the Max width of the bow which is 16"

So the actual measurement of my 26 bow front is: 24.2" x 14.8" Max width 16 x 20.9 and putting these measurements in the CR TVC I'm getting 34.1 gallons.

I totally understand volume & total volume. I was just curious and messing around today with TVC's and was surprised to find my tank showing more volume then what it says it is. No big deal really :)