Calculating the Volume of a 312x12 Inch Tank in Gallons

When it comes to tanks, especially in fields like aquariums, determining their volume accurately is crucial. Understanding how to calculate the gallons a tank can hold can help in various applications, such as measuring water volume for fish or determining the suitability of a tank for specific species.

Step-by-Step Calculation

To calculate the volume of a tank in gallons, especially when the dimensions are given in inches, follow these detailed steps:

1. Converting Dimensions from Inches to Feet

The first step is to convert the tank dimensions from inches to feet. Since there are 12 inches in a foot:

2. Calculating the Volume in Cubic Feet

Once the dimensions are in feet, calculate the volume in cubic feet using the formula for the volume of a rectangular prism:

Volume Length × Width × Height

Volume  2.5 feet × 1 foot × 1 foot  2.5 cubic feet

3. Converting Cubic Feet to Gallons

Since 1 cubic foot is approximately 7.48 gallons, convert the volume in cubic feet to gallons:

Volume in gallons  2.5 cubic feet × 7.48 gallons/cubic foot ≈ 18.7 gallons

Therefore, a 312x12 inch tank holds approximately 18.7 gallons.

Alternative Calculation Methods

For those familiar with cubic inches, the steps are as follows:

1. Calculating the Volume in Cubic Inches

Multiply the length, width, and height to find the total volume in cubic inches:

Volume  30 inches × 12 inches × 12 inches  4320 cubic inches

Since there are 231 cubic inches in one US gallon, convert the volume in cubic inches to gallons by dividing:

Volume in gallons  4320 cubic inches ÷ 231 cubic inches/gallon ≈ 18.7013 gallons

Rounded to two decimal places, the tank holds 18.7 gallons.

Practical Applications

One of the tank sizes known in the aquarium trade as a “20-gallon long” tank, although it technically holds about 18.7 gallons, for practical purposes, it can be considered a 20-gallon tank.

Online Conversion Tools

For those who prefer an easier solution, online conversion tools can be used. Simply type “cubic inches to gallons calculator” into your search engine to find a tool that performs the calculation for you.

Despite the availability of these tools, it's still a valuable exercise to understand the underlying mathematics, as it helps in grasping the concept better.

Key Takeaway: The volume of a 312x12 inch tank is approximately 18.7 gallons (or 18.7013 gallons when precise), which can be calculated using either the cubic feet to gallons method or the cubic inches to gallons method.