How big is a monster tank?

[12 Volt Man]

my father likes to joke that my 72x18x29.5 "150" gallon (thats really a 165 but Aqueon is mathematically challenged lol) is "1000 galllions" lol

I guess because the viewing pane is 72 x 29.5 it looks bigger than it is, because it has the same viewing area as a 220, but its only 18" wide. I was limited space wise to an 18" tank, which is a shame. so I went as long and tall as I could, for maximum volume...

 

[polish]

my father likes to joke that my 72x18x29.5 "150" gallon (thats really a 165 but Aqueon is mathematically challenged lol) is "1000 galllions" lol

I don't thick they are mathematically challenged I think they are just actually rating tanks correctly, by the INSIDE dimensions and not OUTSIDE like most other manufacturers. If you measure the inside of your tank it should be something like 71 x 17 x 28 or so of actual water volume which comes out to 146 gallons.

Most companies seem to use the outside measurements, which is wrong if you ask me. Take for example a standard 75g like the one I have. Which are typically 48 x 18 x 20-21. Now if you do 48x18x20 it comes out to 74 gallons, but that isn't the actual water capacity. If you measure the inside it is more like 47x17x19 of actual water area, this comes out to 65 gallons.

Even a standard 120g 48x24x24 comes out to only be 119g if based on those measurements. But the actual water capacity is much less when you measure the inside 47x23x23, 107 gallons to be exact if you fill it up to the 23" mark.

Just my .02.

 

[LowCel]

I don't thick they are mathematically challenged I think they are just actually rating tanks correctly, by the INSIDE dimensions and not OUTSIDE like most other manufacturers. If you measure the inside of your tank it should be something like 71 x 17 x 28 or so of actual water volume which comes out to 146 gallons.

Most companies seem to use the outside measurements, which is wrong if you ask me. Take for example a standard 75g like the one I have. Which are typically 48 x 18 x 20-21. Now if you do 48x18x20 it comes out to 74 gallons, but that isn't the actual water capacity. If you measure the inside it is more like 47x17x19 of actual water area, this comes out to 65 gallons.

Even a standard 120g 48x24x24 comes out to only be 119g if based on those measurements. But the actual water capacity is much less when you measure the inside 47x23x23, 107 gallons to be exact if you fill it up to the 23" mark.

Just my .02.

That has actually been a pet peve of mine for years. I finally caved in and just went with the standard measurements that most people use. It's much easier. On a side note, if you figure out your medications by the real tank size it does save you a little cash.

 

[basslover34]

To me Monster isn't a tank... a fish, filters, decorations or anything of that sort.

To me it's not Monster... it's THE MONSTER within us all that makes us go out and buy that first small 5-55 Gallon tank... look at it for a while and think WOW thats nice... once that feeling wears off we look at it and say to ourselfs " Time for a bigger better tank, and since I'm doing that I might as well get that larger type of fish that I see everyone talking about" Next thing we know we have XXX number of tanks floating around our homes and a total Gallon rating that would choke a small towns water supply and we start looking at the water towers in town thinking "Damn... I could fit all my stock in there... if Only I could put a window in it "

The Monster is the addiction to the hobby that we get and the constant need to provide our fishy friends with the Best homes we can provide, Although it's nice to see someones jaw hit the floor when they see your biggest tank we don't buy them to "show off" like alot of things, Hell most of us know that if you tell people that your a aquarist they all look at you like you need to get a better hobby. But it's our hobby and there are very few people in this world which go to the extremes that we do... because we all have THE MONSTER in us.

 

[12 Volt Man]

I don't thick they are mathematically challenged I think they are just actually rating tanks correctly, by the INSIDE dimensions and not OUTSIDE like most other manufacturers. If you measure the inside of your tank it should be something like 71 x 17 x 28 or so of actual water volume which comes out to 146 gallons.

Most companies seem to use the outside measurements, which is wrong if you ask me. Take for example a standard 75g like the one I have. Which are typically 48 x 18 x 20-21. Now if you do 48x18x20 it comes out to 74 gallons, but that isn't the actual water capacity. If you measure the inside it is more like 47x17x19 of actual water area, this comes out to 65 gallons.

Even a standard 120g 48x24x24 comes out to only be 119g if based on those measurements. But the actual water capacity is much less when you measure the inside 47x23x23, 107 gallons to be exact if you fill it up to the 23" mark.

Just my .02.

correct. but all of their other tanks are based on the OUTSIDE dimensions, as are almost all other manufacturers.

for some reason, the Aqueon 150 is the only model based on the inside dimensions.

eg. everyone elses 150g long is 72x18x27 tall (outside dimensions)

my tank is 29.5 tall, so its 15 gallons bigger. but they still rate it the same..

however, keep in mind that this is a big bonus when buying the tank.

because my "165" gallon is the same price as comparable "150" gallon tanks

which is good because the Aqueon 150 gallon tank was expensive, esp. custom done with black silicone ($480 canadian + tax + delivery)

but worth every penny

 

[polish]

Right, but it's still not a 165g tank. It's just a properly sized 150g.

I know what you mean though.

That has actually been a pet peve of mine for years. I finally caved in and just went with the standard measurements that most people use. It's much easier. On a side note, if you figure out your medications by the real tank size it does save you a little cash.

Glad I'm not the only one. I still call my tanks as they are rated by the manufacturers for simplicity sake as well but I know how much they actually hold too. And you bring up a good point on meds, one many people fail to realize.

 

[12 Volt Man]

Right, but it's still not a 165g tank. It's just a properly sized 150g.

I know what you mean though.

correct, its not a 165. but everyone elses 90 isnt a 90 either for example lol

I wish I could have got the 210 but, well..I need room for chairs in front of my tank LOL

 

[LowCel]

correct, its not a 165. but everyone elses 90 isnt a 90 either for example lol

I wish I could have got the 210 but, well..I need room for chairs in front of my tank LOL

Man, you really need to get your priorities in order. Seriously, is your family too good to eat on the couch like a normal family?

 

[12 Volt Man]

lol so true.

my mom was hoping I was going to put a couch in that spot, but that was the only spot in the basement (which is ground floor) for a 6 foot tank.

i wasn't going to put a tank that big and heavy on an upper floor.

my attitude is that if a tank requires floor bracing/beefing up that means its too big for an upper floor

 

[tcarswell]

I just put more thought in to it and read the entire thread. I think the 5 tanks in my living room alone qualifies. I had my little sister over for the day and her friends family came to pick her up and they spent like an hour gawking at all the tanks lol. As did my stepfather and my dad and brother when they came up to visit. My new GF's reaction was pretty surprised as well she likes them says they are "relaxing" but she only takes interest in my dogs and sphynx cat lately.