mid posted

bassett wrote:

So that would mean that a 125 gallon tank , would in fact only be a 32
gallon tank.
working on the assumption that one American gallon is really only 1.2
litres or one quart Imperial, This gets more confusing the further we get
into it,,,

direct from a conversion chart for international travelers:
1 American gallon = 0.832 Imperial gallon
1 American gallon = 3.785 litres
1 Imperial gallon = 4.546 litres
1 kilogram = 2.204 lbs.

from memory of physics class (is this correct?):
1 litre of water = 1 kilogram

therefo
1 gallon of water = 8.34214 lbs. = 3.785 kilograms

So, to find the weight of your tank, multiply this figure (lbs. or
kg, whichever you are more used to) by the volume of your tank then add
in the weight of the tank itself, the stand, all the equipment, and the
decorations. And if you will have large fish in it, add something for
them, too. (Small fish are probably negligible weight in regards to the
infinitesimal water volume they'll displace, but large fish do weigh
more than the measurable water volume they will displace.) This is how
much it will weigh fully set up.

To find the force exerted on your floor, measure the area of the
stand which will actually be in contact with the floor. Divide the
weight by this area and you will have the force. (I forget the units of
force. I believe it's Newtons in metric, but don't remember it's g/cm2
equivalent. I don't believe I ever learned the English system unit name
because science classes are the only place we crazy Americans use the
metric system.)

Anyway, if it is a solid piece of wood or whatever which is
contacting the floor, the area will simply be the length X the width and
will be a fairly large figure. But if your stand is like the metal one
my parents bought back in the 70's, and has little legs which are
actually the only part in contact with the floor, this will be a very
small figure. My parents' old stand probably only had a grand total of 4
sq. in. touching the floor, so even though it was only a 10 gallon tank,
the force exerted on the floor was huge! (I'm not going to take the time
to calculate this figure now, but I remember the apparently permanent
dents in the brand new plush carpets in the brand new house we lived in
for a couple of years.)

Christina Thompson

--
Though lovers be lost love shall not;
And death shall have no dominion.
--Dylan Thomas