Freshwater

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Freshwater Aquariums For Dummies, 2nd Edition
Temperature
Celsius = (Fahrenheit – 32) × 5/9
Fahrenheit = (Celsius × 9/5) + 32
Volume = Length × Width × Height
Aquarium weight
1. Determine capacity.
Capacity in gallons = (Length × Width × Height [in inches]) divided by
231.
2. Use capacity to determine weight.
One gallon of fresh water at 4 degrees Celsius = 8.57 pounds of weight.
How Many Fish Can I Put in the Tank?
It is very important to remember that fish need space in order to be healthy.
(Think about it, would you want to live in an elevator with ten other people?)
A crowded tank that has exceeded its stocking limits leads to poor water conditions
that can adversely affect your fish’s health. Overcrowded tanks are
low in oxygen levels and pollute quickly — much more so than the filter
medium or biological bacteria can handle efficiently.
Table A-2 gives you an idea of how many fish can safely be put into a tank
with the given dimensions.
The first column is simply the length of the tank multiplied by the width. This
can be measured with a yardstick or measuring tape. The second column
tells you the total surface area of what you measured. The third and fourth
columns give you the total length of all the fish, in inches, that can be safely
put in that size tank, depending on whether they are freshwater or marine
fish. (This is a handy table to have if you decide to enter the marine side of
the hobby later on as well.) Remember that the total length of the fish is measured
from the snout to the beginning of the tail fin, and all the fish lengths
are added together. Also remember that fish grow!
Smaller tanks (under 36 inches in length) are not recommended for saltwater,
except when being used as a hospital tank.