Young Frankenstein
New member
Everybody has different salinity levels? At the FLS they say 1.022 here most people say 1.025, open ocean watter is 1.025. Whats beast salinity level for a reef tank?
1.022 or 1.025 ?
- Thread starter Young Frankenstein
- Start date
I've heard that most inverts and coral prefer the higher salinity levels. I had read before coming here to keep the reef between 1.023 and 1.025, but most reefers here seem to keep it between 1.025 and 1.0265; I keep mine at 1.025.
Of course... You're using a propertly calibrated refractometer to test your salinity, right?
Of course... You're using a propertly calibrated refractometer to test your salinity, right?
triplecrown
New member
those are both acceptable ranges I would focus more on consistancy.
Young Frankenstein
New member
Is 1.022 ok ? for corals ? From what I read is perfectly fine for fish.
Shagsbeard
New member
Stores tend to run their sg a bit low because it's cheaper. Salt costs money, and the same volume of water is cheaper if you put less salt in it. Since their critters don't stay in it very long, it's not such a big deal.
Now... is 1.0265 (taken as gospel from mwwhite's post) "better" than 1.022 or worse than natures intent? Dunno. I've been keeping mine at 1.025-1.026 without any real harm to my wallet or my tank. I am shocked at the ability of some species to tolerate extreems in salinity changes while some are very finicky about it.
Now... is 1.0265 (taken as gospel from mwwhite's post) "better" than 1.022 or worse than natures intent? Dunno. I've been keeping mine at 1.025-1.026 without any real harm to my wallet or my tank. I am shocked at the ability of some species to tolerate extreems in salinity changes while some are very finicky about it.
jdieck
New member
Because hydrometers and refractometer have a margin of error I try not to set up the salinity at the edge of an acceptable range but rather at Natural Salt Water salinity which is 1.0265
It is customary in fish only tanks to maintain a lower salinity believing it is less stressful for fish and reduce the incidence of sickness and parasites but I have never seen nor read any research that prove that. in any case by lowering salinity you may save a bit on salt but I would not do it if your intention is to maintain corals specially LPS and SPS. Lower salinities will give lower levels of Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium which may result in lower PH or the need to use supplements to adjust those levels which at the end will counteract any potential savings by using less salt.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/rhf/index.php
It is customary in fish only tanks to maintain a lower salinity believing it is less stressful for fish and reduce the incidence of sickness and parasites but I have never seen nor read any research that prove that. in any case by lowering salinity you may save a bit on salt but I would not do it if your intention is to maintain corals specially LPS and SPS. Lower salinities will give lower levels of Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium which may result in lower PH or the need to use supplements to adjust those levels which at the end will counteract any potential savings by using less salt.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/rhf/index.php
