How can you get EXACT water volume?

Dj City · Jan 21, 2020

Hey R2R family,

I should be setting up my 180 gallon soon.
How can I get an EXACT water volume number?

There has to be a way that I can measure exactly how much water I actually have.

I will have 180 gallon DT. 68 gallon sump. Water in plumbing minus sand, rock and equipment.

Any ideas?

sp1187 · Jan 21, 2020

I used 5 gallon water containers when I initially filled my system. yes it took me a while, but I do know how much water is in the system, between the DT and sump. (not accounting for displacement from fish and corals

)

Iván Olalla · Jan 21, 2020

Beginner Series #1: What Is Your Actual Water Volume?

Seawitch submitted a new Article: Beginner Series #1: What Is Your Actual Water Volume? The author's 90G reef aquarium. Photo is from the Reef2Reef archives and courtesy of Greg Gdowski, ©2019, All Rights Reserved. We put a lot of chemicals into our tanks. Many manufacturers tell you to base...

www.reef2reef.com

Dj City · Jan 21, 2020

sp1187 said:
I used 5 gallon water containers when I initially filled my system. yes it took me a while, but I do know how much water is in the system, between the DT and sump. (not accounting for displacement from fish and corals )

150 gallon display 5 gallons at a time from a ro/di unit?!?
Woooooow.
That's dedication!

Greg P · Jan 21, 2020

sp1187 said:
I used 5 gallon water containers when I initially filled my system. yes it took me a while, but I do know how much water is in the system, between the DT and sump. (not accounting for displacement from fish and corals )

This is mostly what I did when I set up my most recent tank. I accurately measured a 5g bucket to fill my New Salt Water mixing tank.
With that tank accurately marked, I went from there knowing how much it took to fill the system.
Then I measured how much I needed to remove when I added the LR.

Crabs McJones · Jan 21, 2020

As mentioned above, you can use calculators that will get you close. But to know the exact number youd have to set it all up, rock and sand in place and then keep track of what you put in.

Dj City · Jan 21, 2020

Iván Olalla said:
Beginner Series #1: What Is Your Actual Water Volume?

Seawitch submitted a new Article: Beginner Series #1: What Is Your Actual Water Volume? The author's 90G reef aquarium. Photo is from the Reef2Reef archives and courtesy of Greg Gdowski, ©2019, All Rights Reserved. We put a lot of chemicals into our tanks. Many manufacturers tell you to base...

www.reef2reef.com

I love this idea but....
Advanced math was NOT my strong suit in school and has not improved over the years. Counting money, no problem.
Formulas, hopeless.

Dj City · Jan 21, 2020

Are there water meter readers out there? Ones that could be fitted to a ro/di to count how much water was used?

Greg P · Jan 21, 2020

Maybe this will help;
I used a lab-grade beaker to mark a 1 litre container in 100ml increments. Using 3785mls from the 1l container (and help from the beaker for the smaller measurements), I marked 1 gallon on my mixing tank. I continued marking my mixing container all the way to the top. I now know my current mixing tank holds 28 gallons.

If you are able to do something similar you won't need any math.

Dj City · Jan 21, 2020

@Crabs McJones

Hey there Mr. Crabs...
I'm happy you went back to that avatar.

Mastiffsrule · Jan 21, 2020

Hey dj,

just wondering if there was a reason behind needing an exact amount

Crabs McJones · Jan 21, 2020

Mastiffsrule said:
Hey dj,

just wondering if there was a reason behind needing an exact amount

Dosing possibly. Knowing your exact volume makes dosing a breeze

Dj City · Jan 21, 2020

gregzz4 said:
Maybe this will help;
I used a lab-grade beaker to mark a 1 litre container in 100ml increments. Using 3785mls from the 1l container (and help from the beaker for the smaller measurements), I marked 1 gallon on my mixing tank. I continued marking my mixing container all the way to the top. I now know my current mixing tank holds 28 gallons.

If you are able to do something similar you won't need any math.

I wish I had a mixing station. That would be a great help.
I will be going straight from the ro/di to the tank/sump.
I can't see marking the tank working because of the sump.

Dj City · Jan 21, 2020

Mastiffsrule said:
Hey dj,

just wondering if there was a reason behind needing an exact amount

Dosing.
That and anything that may come up in the future where knowing the ACTUAL total water volume will prove to be useful.

Greg P · Jan 21, 2020

Your mixing station for a 15g tank can be as simple as an old salt bucket.
Mark it up with a permanent marker and you're good to go.

Dj City · Jan 21, 2020

gregzz4 said:
Your mixing station for a 15g tank can be as simple as an old salt bucket.
Mark it up with a permanent marker and you're good to go.

I agree 100% on a 15 gallon tank.
I'm trying to be accurate on a 180 gallon display with a 68 gallon sump.

Greg P · Jan 21, 2020

Are you interested in total water volume for your new 110 build?

I see you mentioned in the 15g thread you actually have a new salt water holding tank. How big is it?

Dj City · Jan 21, 2020

gregzz4 said:
Are you interested in total water volume for your new 110 build?

I see you mentioned in the 15g thread you actually have a new salt water holding tank. How big is it?

On the 15 gallon nano I have a 20 gallon tall tank that I use for auto water change.
Reserve saltwater is more than in the display.
Lol.

I'm trying to get my ducks in a row for my 180 gallon build.

Greg P · Jan 21, 2020

Roughly, you're going to want a mixing tank to hold a decent water change of at least 20% / 40g.
I'm not advocating a mixing 'station', just a drum or such to make new water.
What are your plans?

WVNed · Jan 21, 2020

I filled a 44 gallon brut can with a graduated 5 gallon bucket. I made a dipstick from a piece of PVC pipe and marked the stick every 4 gallons.
Then I knew how much water went in the tank