Boret December 22, 2009 December 22, 2009 I was wondering at what value do each one of you keep the salinity on your reef tanks. Mine is 1.0256 specific gravity or 34 ppm. I have had it as low as 1.022 and as high as 1.027 from what I see on my record book for the last year. But overall I try to keep it just a hair below the 35 ppm mark in my refractometer. Before I do a water change I measure it and it is always below the 34 mark, closer to 32/33 (probably due to salt creep). I keep the salinity of the new water at around 36/37 to get the tank back to the aforementioned 34. I do small water changes (5-6% total volume) every 2 weeks.
El Camaron December 22, 2009 December 22, 2009 i try to keep mine at 1.025 but it varies between water changes it fluctuates from 1.024 to 1.026.
zygote2k December 22, 2009 December 22, 2009 maintenance tanks are 1.025 to 1.028, there is even one that runs 1.035. My own frankensystem runs 1.028-1.030
OldReefer December 22, 2009 December 22, 2009 maintenance tanks are 1.025 to 1.028, there is even one that runs 1.035. My own frankensystem runs 1.028-1.030 1.026 for me
Jan December 22, 2009 December 22, 2009 1.025 I was wondering at what value do each one of you keep the salinity on your reef tanks. Mine is 1.0256 specific gravity or 34 ppm. I have had it as low as 1.022 and as high as 1.027 from what I see on my record book for the last year. But overall I try to keep it just a hair below the 35 ppm mark in my refractometer. Before I do a water change I measure it and it is always below the 34 mark, closer to 32/33 (probably due to salt creep). I keep the salinity of the new water at around 36/37 to get the tank back to the aforementioned 34. I do small water changes (5-6% total volume) every 2 weeks.
bluefunelement December 22, 2009 December 22, 2009 i try to keep mine at 1.025 but it varies between water changes it fluctuates from 1.024 to 1.026. +1 just cause I can't always tell the refractometer's actual line of demarcation
treesprite December 23, 2009 December 23, 2009 I mix my water to 1.025, but tank fluctuates slightly between 1.024 and 1.026. When I had no corals I mixed my water to 1.020 (though I was using swing-arm hydrometers at that time.... who knows what the level actually was?)
Mountaineer December 23, 2009 December 23, 2009 1.026 or 35ppm is my target, but usually between 1.025 and 1.026
Boret December 23, 2009 Author December 23, 2009 It seems the majority strives for the 35ppm mark. I've read that you are less prone to infections at slightly lower salinity, you use less salt (save some $$) and many retailers and vendors keep their livestock at around 32-33 so there is less shock for new fish. It could be all a bunch of BS though! I imagine that lower salinity will also affect the number of Ions and therefore give you lower Ca and Mg levels. I think I will try to go up to 35 from 34 and try to maintain it there for the next 6 months to see how it affects my tank. Keep the numbers coming!
Black Mammoth December 23, 2009 December 23, 2009 1.025 (long live the inventor of auto topoffs!) +1 And Ditto
Jon Lazar December 23, 2009 December 23, 2009 ...and many retailers and vendors keep their livestock at around 32-33 so there is less shock for new fish. It could be all a bunch of BS though! 35ppt for me. Fish spend a long time in the ocean, a short time in the commercial pipeline, and then a long time in our tanks. It would seem the best way to minimize shock overall is for "retailers and vendors" to keep their holding tanks at 35ppt, just like the most oceans and most tanks.
Boret December 23, 2009 Author December 23, 2009 35ppt for me. Fish spend a long time in the ocean, a short time in the commercial pipeline, and then a long time in our tanks. It would seem the best way to minimize shock overall is for "retailers and vendors" to keep their holding tanks at 35ppt, just like the most oceans and most tanks. Good point!
treesprite December 23, 2009 December 23, 2009 (edited) Anyone got a list of where the various LFSs keep their salinity, including divided by fish-only systems and coral systems, as well as any difference between a LFS's QT tanks vs selling tanks? Might give us something more to consider when choosing where to go for livestock. Edited December 23, 2009 by treesprite
extreme_tooth_decay December 23, 2009 December 23, 2009 Dr. Mac once told me he keeps his fish only systems real low. I think he said 1.015 or 1.019.
johnnybv December 23, 2009 December 23, 2009 Dr. Mac once told me he keeps his fish only systems real low. I think he said 1.015 or 1.019. invert system 1.023 fish system 1.013 coral system 1.025 display tank 1.025 1.026 FOWLER 1.019 Home tank 1.025 ALL HAVE ATOS to keep them consistent
Boret December 23, 2009 Author December 23, 2009 Thanks John for the detailed information. Would you care to explain why the fish system is that low? Hypo-salinity to fight diseases? I have read this online: Hyposalinity or OST (Osmotic Shock Therapy) is one of the most effective, non-chemical ways to rid fish and an aquarium of saltwater ich and other parasitic diseases Is that the reason? Thanks!
johnnybv December 23, 2009 December 23, 2009 Thanks John for the detailed information. Would you care to explain why the fish system is that low? Hypo-salinity to fight diseases? I have read this online: Is that the reason? Thanks! Correct, most protozoan can not live in hypo salinity, overall fish health is better for short term. Although my experience has showed several months at that low salinty is not good on the fish, we move them around to our coral systems if they dont sell in the first few months. John
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now