How would you interpret "minimum aquarium size 60 cm"?

[moonbunny]

Hi all,

When a suggested tank size is listed as "minimum aquarium size 60 cm", is this number referring to the minimum length of the tank? If so, if there are many tanks sizes that have this one dimension the same, how do you know which size tank's being recommended about?

Thanks so much

[Richard B]

This generally refers to the minimum size of tank required, dictated by the length of the tank on longest side. As an example a 60cm tank minimum could be 60x30x30 or 60x30x45 or 60x60x30 etc

[moonbunny]

Hi Richard,

Thanks for writing.

As long as the tank is that length, how would you calculate the volume of water needed (size of the tank)?

[uaru]

If you're calculating aquarium volume from measurements in cm:

1 cubic cm = 1 mL, or 1000 cubic cm = 1 L

So a 60x30x30 cm tank is 54,000 cubic cm, or 54 L.

To convert to US gallons, divide by 3.8. This gives ~14 US gallons for the 60x30x30 cm tank.

I can never remember the direct conversion factor from cubic inches to US gallons, so I always do it this way.

There are also a few websites that have volume calculators for tanks, including this one.

[Bas Pels]

To me 60 cm size would be a 60 * 30 *30 cm tank. However a 50 * 40 * 40 cm tank does contain more water (80 L instead iof 54) which would seam to e bertter. However for territorial fishes, or ones that like to swim length is more important than liters.

So yes, sometimes length is sufficient information