Is a 40g really a 40g?

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MDH

MDH

Candiru
MFK Member
Jan 14, 2007
649
4
48
Canada, eh.
I recently picked up an additional 40g breeder tank, and it got me thinking. It's actually more than 40g. You do the math: (L*W*H*0.0043)

Standard dimensions for this tank are stated 36"x18"16" which would be 45 gallons. Although most of them (including mine) actually measure 36"x18"17" which equals 47 gallons. Why don't they just call it a 45 gallon tank?

Take for example your standard 55, 75, and 180 gallon tanks. They are actually:

55 gallon: 48"x13"X21" = 56 gallons
75 gallon: 48"x18"x21" = 78 gallons
180g : 72"x24"x24" = 178 gallons

My point here, is that all of these are within a few gallons of stated tank size. Why not the 40g breeder?

I'm sure this has been covered before, but what gives? Why is my tank considered a 40g when in fact it's more? Did tank manufacutures decide on a standard years ago that I haven't heard of? Or, am I simply missing something here?
 
MDH;1294402; said:
I recently picked up an additional 40g breeder tank, and it got me thinking. It's actually more than 40g. You do the math: (L*W*H*0.0043)

Standard dimensions for this tank are stated 36"x18"16" which would be 45 gallons. Although most of them (including mine) actually measure 36"x18"17" which equals 47 gallons. Why don't they just call it a 45 gallon tank?

Take for example your standard 55, 75, and 180 gallon tanks. They are actually:

55 gallon: 48"x13"X21" = 56 gallons
75 gallon: 48"x18"x21" = 78 gallons
180g : 72"x24"x24" = 178 gallons

My point here, is that all of these are within a few gallons of stated tank size. Why not the 40g breeder?

I'm sure this has been covered before, but what gives? Why is my tank considered a 40g when in fact it's more? Did tank manufacutures decide on a standard years ago that I haven't heard of? Or, am I simply missing something here?
Click to expand...
Real world inside measurements are less.
The builders usually state the size by the physical outside dimensions give or take.
We fill the inside obviously, and not entirely full.
My 125 "advertised" only actually holds about 110g's. Add the decor and substrate, and it goes down to even less.
 
It's a well known fact that mfg's give a rounded off figure for certain tank sizes. The actual gallonage is usally off by a few gallons give or take. It's nothing to argue about. Big deal...life's too short to make yourself miserable over little things like that. Don't worry, be happy. :)
 
Well my 180g is 72" x 25" x 24" :p


Doing my best to incite a riot:D
 
Bderick67;1297997; said:
Well my 180g is 72" x 25" x 24" :p


Doing my best to incite a riot:D
Click to expand...

:ROFL::ROFL::ROFL:
 
Tanks will never ever be what gallonage they say they are. They take the outside measurements and just use that when in reality you should take the inside measurements for true gallons. Like a 40 gallon is 38.40909090909090909091 true gallons. plus sand and decor your looking at 32 gallons maybe less in the long run.
 
Also, if you were to have your average 6x2x2 180G tank, now way would you even fill it to the rim. Leaving it just 2 inch's below the rim eliminates 15 gallons off your total anyway. Plus substrate, decor and fish, it'd be more likely to fall down to 140-150G.
 
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