Gallons of Tank vs Gallons Full

[ReefKeeperNYC]

So i just put sand down and setup the aqua scape.

When i was leak testing without rocks and sand the volume of water will obviously be less.

However now that I am filling it seems like I will be adding approximately 60% of the total volume, versus with just water.

Does rock and sand displace that much water?

At 10" my tank would hold about 22gallons in a 32x18x12 high . With rock it seems Ill only have about 14-15 gallons at 10".

Does that sound right?

Thanks!

 

[ReefkeeperZ]

depends on the type of rock denser rock displaces more and finer sand displaces more. say my 40B tank is actually only maybe 30ish gallons of water. easy way to tell is fill it to max, start adding your stuff removing 5g at a time when your done you'll know how much was displaced. or if verything is in fill from buckets for the first time so you know how many gallons you are adding just make sure you use an accurate 5g measure and mark the bucket.

 

[Xxero]

So i just put sand down and setup the aqua scape.

When i was leak testing without rocks and sand the volume of water will obviously be less. (More)

However now that I am filling it seems like I will be adding approximately 60% of the total volume, versus with just water.

Does rock and sand displace that much water?

At 10" my tank would hold about 22gallons in a 32x18x12 high . With rock it seems Ill only have about 14-15 gallons at 10".

Does that sound right?

Thanks!

Sounds about right. Rock and sand displace around 30-33%, IME. So, with the given tank dimensions, I would put it closer to 18g after rock and sand. I suggest keeping count of every gallon poured into the system as you're filling, and that way you know down to the drop.

HTH :bigeyes:

 

[ReefKeeperNYC]

Thanks guys!

Yea im using a cointainer that has a marking for 3 1/2 Liters and am putting 14Liters at a time. So far im at 4 3/4” and only 7.6 gallons or so.

I didnt realize how much less water total volumes actually is in a full setup system.

I knew it was less with rocks and stuff but 30-40% whoa!

 

[ReefKeeperNYC]

Sounds about right. Rock and sand displace around 30-33%, IME. So, with the given tank dimensions, I would put it closer to 18g after rock and sand. I suggest keeping count of every gallon poured into the system as you're filling, and that way you know down to the drop.

HTH :bigeyes:

Yeah, I think youre right!

So does this affect weight distribution of tank water?

Meaning will it cause less acrylic bowing since its less water? Or more sits it is sitting higher in the tank?

Thanks!

 

[Xxero]

I would think 'less' simply because less water/less pressure.

And I think that I understand what you're asking in the 2nd part of your question...as in, with rocks and sand on the bottom, does that force the water up higher in the tank thus creating more pressure? I dunno, really? That's above my pay grade. :bigeyes:

 

[ReefKeeperNYC]

I would think 'less' simply because less water/less pressure.

And I think that I understand what you're asking in the 2nd part of your question...as in, with rocks and sand on the bottom, does that force the water up higher in the tank thus creating more pressure? I dunno, really? That's above my pay grade. :bigeyes:

Haha

Yeah mine too lolol