Reef calculator

Total System Volume Calculator

Your dosing number. Add up every tank in the loop, take out what the rock and sand displace, or measure it with a salinity drop.

gal

How this works

Sump water is length × width × the depth while the return pump runs. Rock and sand displace about 0.045 gal per lb (aragonite is about 2.7 times denser than water).

The salinity drop test works from mass balance: volume = water added × salinity after ÷ (before − after).

Total System Volume

Questions

Which sump level do I measure?

The level while the return pump is running. That is the water that is actually in the system day to day.

How accurate is the salinity drop test?

Good to about 10 percent with a decent refractometer. Add enough fresh water to drop salinity at least 1 ppt.

Rather have us dial it in?

Frags2Fishes service techs test, dose and maintain reef tanks across PA, MD, DE, NJ and VA, and beyond.