About AquariumCalcs

Who runs this site

AquariumCalcs is run by Chris Jensen, an independent individual based in Florida. It is not a company. I started it because information people were looking for was missing or hard to find, and I wanted the numbers behind fishkeeping in simple tools that show their method. Where the site says “we”, that is me. You can reach me at rusticreckoner@gmail.com or through the contact page.

Why this site exists

An aquarium is a small, closed ecosystem, and many of the choices you make about it come down to arithmetic: how many gallons the tank really holds, how much it weighs when it is full, how much of a dose a given volume needs, how much heater or filter flow is enough, how much a water change dilutes a reading. The answers are scattered across forum threads, product labels and old rules of thumb, and some of the rules, such as one inch of fish per gallon, are poor guides. AquariumCalcs puts the working in one place and says plainly where a figure is a rule of thumb.

What you will find here

• Livestock: stocking, betta tank size, feeding and quarantine.
• Planted Tanks: aquascape proportions, CO2 and fertilizer dosing.
• Reef & Marine: skimmer sizing, reef dosing, salinity and salt mix.
• Tank Setup & Sizing: volume, weight, stand load, substrate, glass thickness, standard tank dimensions and a cost planner.
• Water Chemistry: water changes, heaters, filter flow, dechlorinator, ammonia and salt dosing, and hardness.
• Finders: five short quizzes for algae, filters, a first tank, fish compatibility and substrate.

Where the numbers come from

Each calculator explains its method on the page. Where a figure comes from a standard formula, such as the volume of a rectangular tank, the weight of water, the pH, KH and CO2 relationship or dilution math, the page shows it. Where a figure is a common hobbyist rule of thumb, such as glass thickness bands, stocking rates or turnover multiples, the page says so. The how we calculate page explains our approach and its limits. Defaults, prices and typical amounts are examples, so replace them with your own numbers and your product’s label.

What this site does not do

• It does not give veterinary, engineering or professional advice. Read our disclaimer.
• It does not know your specific products. Dose rates must come from your product’s own label.
• It does not sell fish, equipment or supplies, and it is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by any manufacturer, retailer or brand.

Corrections

Products, guidance and prices change, and fishkeepers often spot a mistake before we do. If a result looks wrong or a page is out of date, use the Report an Issue form and name the calculator. If you want a tool that is not here, suggest it.

Part of the Calcs family

AquariumCalcs shares its layout and standards with a group of free reference and calculator sites. You can see the others on the Meet the Calcs Family page.