{
  "slug": "aquarium-volume",
  "title": "Aquarium Volume Calculator",
  "heading": "Aquarium Volume & Stocking Calculator",
  "category": "other",
  "url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/aquarium-volume",
  "summary": "Gallons, water weight, heater wattage, and filter turnover.",
  "description": "Tank labels are nominal — a '55 gallon' holds noticeably less once you account for glass thickness, substrate, and rock. Compute true water volume from your dimensions, then size the heater and filter off that real number.",
  "formula": "Gallons = (L × W × H in inches) ÷ 231, minus displacement; heater ≈ 3–5 W per gallon.",
  "dateModified": "2026-09-30",
  "run_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/api/public/calc?tool=aquarium-volume",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "id": "length",
      "label": "Length",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 48,
      "unit": "in",
      "min": 4,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "width",
      "label": "Width (front to back)",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 13,
      "unit": "in",
      "min": 4,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "height",
      "label": "Water height",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 20,
      "unit": "in",
      "min": 2,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "displace",
      "label": "Substrate & decor displacement",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 10,
      "unit": "%",
      "min": 0,
      "max": 40
    },
    {
      "id": "rise",
      "label": "Degrees above room temp",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 8,
      "unit": "°F",
      "min": 0,
      "max": 30
    },
    {
      "id": "turnover",
      "label": "Target filter turnover",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 6,
      "unit": "×/hr",
      "min": 1,
      "max": 20
    }
  ],
  "outputs": [
    {
      "id": "net",
      "label": "Actual water volume (gal)",
      "format": "decimal",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": true
    },
    {
      "id": "raw",
      "label": "Gross volume (gal)",
      "format": "decimal",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "liters",
      "label": "Liters",
      "format": "decimal",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "weight",
      "label": "Filled weight (lb)",
      "format": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "heater",
      "label": "Recommended heater (W)",
      "format": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "gph",
      "label": "Filter flow needed (GPH)",
      "format": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "waterChange",
      "label": "25% water change (gal)",
      "format": "decimal",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    }
  ],
  "worked_example": {
    "inputs": [
      "Length: 48 in",
      "Width (front to back): 13 in",
      "Water height: 20 in",
      "Substrate & decor displacement: 10 %",
      "Degrees above room temp: 8 °F",
      "Target filter turnover: 6 ×/hr"
    ],
    "outputs": [
      "Actual water volume (gal): 48.6",
      "Gross volume (gal): 54",
      "Liters: 184",
      "Filled weight (lb): 514",
      "Recommended heater (W): 200",
      "Filter flow needed (GPH): 292",
      "25% water change (gal): 12.2"
    ]
  },
  "how_to": {
    "title": "How to use this",
    "steps": [
      "Enter length (in).",
      "Enter width (front to back) (in).",
      "Enter water height (in).",
      "Enter substrate & decor displacement (%).",
      "Enter degrees above room temp (°F).",
      "Enter target filter turnover (×/hr).",
      "Read your actual water volume (gal) on the right — it updates as you type.",
      "Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone."
    ]
  },
  "scenarios": [
    {
      "name": "Conservative",
      "description": "Lower-end numbers — what if things land soft?",
      "values": {
        "length": 29,
        "width": 8,
        "height": 20,
        "displace": 6,
        "rise": 5,
        "turnover": 4
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Typical",
      "description": "Defaults — the most common real-world setup.",
      "values": {
        "length": 48,
        "width": 13,
        "height": 20,
        "displace": 10,
        "rise": 8,
        "turnover": 6
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Ambitious",
      "description": "Higher-end numbers — what if things really pop?",
      "values": {
        "length": 77,
        "width": 21,
        "height": 20,
        "displace": 16,
        "rise": 13,
        "turnover": 10
      }
    }
  ],
  "limitations": [
    "Estimates assume standard, average conditions — local rules, pricing, and materials vary.",
    "Results are rounded for readability; add a buffer before ordering, booking, or committing.",
    "Double-check anything with a real cost attached against a local quote."
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "Why is my tank lighter than 8.34 lb per gallon?",
      "a": "It is heavier, not lighter — glass, substrate, and rock add on top of water weight. A 55-gallon setup lands near 600 pounds, which is more than many floors and stands are rated for without spreading the load."
    },
    {
      "q": "Is more filter flow always better?",
      "a": "For most community freshwater tanks, 4–6× turnover is plenty. Reef tanks want 10× or more, while bettas and fry need flow deliberately reduced."
    }
  ],
  "related": [
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/pet-ownership-cost"
  ],
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "citation": "RevenueLab — Aquarium Volume Calculator (https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/aquarium-volume)"
}