usa/british gallons/ltrs.

[Auntsally]

Posted this seperately from the keyholes to avoid confusion, but how do I convert USA gallons to British gallons and how to relate that to ltrs.? I am trying to absorb advise given on the forum, but get confused when trying to relate the fish shown to the tank sizes quoted and required.

[helen nightingale]

i use this website:

http://www.digitaldutch.com/unitconverter/volume.htm

you can convert US and UK gallons, and gallons to litres

[san-ho-zay]

I use this converter - I am sure there are others around ...

http://www.day-tripper.net/infoconversi ... conversion

It's handy because it does most conversions from one place: weight, length, volume. Even shoe sizes .

[Auntsally]

Thank you Helen and san-ho-zay. No more confusion!

[NancyD]

Most of us here can do liters (or litres) or US gallons almost easily. UK gallons not so easy, for me anyway.

[palaeodave]

It would be nice if there was a convention set whereby we all use litres or at least put UK or US when we use gallons. Just for the sake of clarity.

[Auntsally]

I agree that clarity would help. To only state litres may confuse people who only use gallons, but if we could state GB or US gallons that would be great.

[palaeodave]

If that sounds a bit west-centred, it applies to all the countries represented on these forums. I have absolutely no idea which system is used in South Africa, Australia, various SE Asian countries etc.

[Diana]

Rough conversion:

Imperial Gallons are 20% bigger than American Gallons.

Multiply Imperial gallons by 1.2 to get American gallons.
Multiply American gallons by .8 to get Imperial gallons.

A 20 Imperial gallons is about equal to 24 American gallons.
A 50 American gallon tank is about equal to 40 Imperial gallons.


Liters are so close to 4 liters = 1 gallon that 4 is the easiest way to remember.
However, 4 liters is actually in between Imperial and American gallons.

Multiply American gallons by 4 to get liters, and round down roughly 10%.
Multiply Imperial gallons by 4 to get liters, but round up roughly 10%.

A 100 liter tank holds about 28 Amercan gallons, or 22 Imperial gallons.
(100 divide by 4 is 25. 10% of 25 is about 3.
Add 25+3 to get American gallons, subtract 25-3 to get Imperial gallons)

A 50 American gallon tank holds a little under 200 liters.
(50 x 4 = 200. Subtract 10% = 180 liters)
A 50 gallon Imperial tank holds a little over 200 liters.
(50 x 4 = 200. Add 10% = 220 liters.)

Remember, these are REALLY rough figures, with some convenience factor thrown in. It will get you close enough to be able to tell what size tank is being discussed, but is not close enough to dose medicines for example.