Substrate Volume Calculator
Substrate depth and volume for bioactive setups.
Inputs
%
Results
Total volume (quarts)
51.6
Total volume (gallons)12.9
Total volume (liters)48.8
Base mix (quarts)31
Drainage mix (quarts)12.9
Top layer (quarts)7.7
Estimated weight (lbs)33.6
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter Enclosure length (in), Enclosure width (in), and Substrate depth (in).
- Set Compaction overfill.
- Review the Total volume (quarts) result.
- Use Total volume (gallons) and Total volume (liters) to inform your decision.
How the result changes with Enclosure length (in)
| Enclosure length (in) | Total volume (quarts) |
|---|---|
| 13 | 18.6 |
| 43 | 61.7 |
| 78 | 111.8 |
| 108 | 154.8 |
What each input means
- Enclosure length (in)
- Interior length of the enclosure in inches.
- Enclosure width (in)
- Interior width (front-to-back depth) in inches.
- Substrate depth (in)
- Desired substrate depth. 2-4 in for arid, 3-6 in for tropical, 6-12+ in for burrowers.
- Compaction overfill
- Extra volume to compensate for substrate settling over time (10-20% typical).
What each result means
- Total volume (quarts)
- Total substrate needed in US dry quarts.
- Total volume (gallons)
- Total substrate volume in US gallons.
- Total volume (liters)
- Total substrate volume in liters.
- Base mix (quarts)
- Topsoil/coco fiber base layer (60% of total).
- Drainage mix (quarts)
- Perlite/orchid bark drainage layer (25% of total).
- Top layer (quarts)
- Leaf litter/sphagnum moss top layer (15% of total).
- Estimated weight (lbs)
- Approximate dry weight of substrate.
How this is calculated
Worked example, using the default values
- Identify Input Parameters4 parametersEnclosure length (in) = 36, Enclosure width (in) = 18, Substrate depth (in) = 4, Compaction overfill = 15 = 4 input(s) provided
- Calculate Total volumeTotal volume = totalVolumeCuIn / 57.7551.6 = 51.6
- Calculate Total volumeTotal volume = totalVolumeCuIn / 23112.9 = 12.9
- Calculate Total volumeTotal volume = totalVolumeCuIn / 61.02448.8 = 48.8
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