Some useful number crunching bits;

Volume | Weight | Heating | Lighting | Stocking | Filtration | Conversions

Tank volume LxWxD in Ft.x6.24 = Volume in Imperial Galls.
LxWxD in Cms./1000 = Volume in Lars.
Remember that rocks, gravel and other décor will take up some of your space.
The most accurate volume is to measure it as you fill it.
e.g.2'x1'x1' x 6.24=12.48gal. 60cm.x30cm.x30cm.=54lts.

Weight. Aquariums are heavy! 1Gal. weighs 10lbs., 1lt. weighs 1 kg.
Aquarium gravel comes in at around 10lbs./sq'., 4kg./900cm²at 2-3" deep
e.g. 2' tank=12.48x10+2x10+tank=144.8+lbs.=10Stone+

Heating. In a constantly centrally heated room, 5watts/gal., in a colder room, 10watts/gal.
e.g. 2' tank requires 60-120watt heater. Sizes available tend to be 50, 100, 150, etc.
so for this tank either a 50 or 100watt heater/thermostat.

Lighting. For simply viewing, lighting is your own choice.
For live plants you require at least 20watts/sq.ft. Your supplier should have tubes designed for plant growth. Tanks over 18" (45cms.) deep need more intense lighting.
Marine tanks, especially reef tanks, require very bright lighting of at least 50watts/sq.ft. Florescent tubes for aquariums are rated at around 10watts/ft.
e.g. 2' tank for live plants requires 40watts=2x20watt tubes + starter unit(s)

Stock. Fish need their own space. For coldwater types (goldfish etc.) each inch of body length needs 30sq.ins. of surface area or one gallon. Tropicals need 10sq.ins. or 1/2 a gallon (after 6 months) and marines need 6 gallons per inch.
e.g. 2' tank can hold 24x12/30=9.6" of goldfish; 24x12/10=28.8" of tropical fish or 12.48/6=2.08" of marine fish.
I should point out that a 2' tank really isn't suitable for marine fish.
They should be in a minimum 50gal. tank.

Filtration, a standard rate of filtration is often quoted as the tank volume 2-3 times/hour. For planted tanks a slower rate of no more than once/hour is sufficient.

Conversions

Length | 1inch=2.54cms. | 1 foot=30cms. |

Volume | 1 imp. gal = 1.2005 US gal = 4.5439 lts |

Weight | 1lb. = 0.4536kg. |

There are a number of useful calculators available on the Practical Fishkeeping site

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