Low salinity at the LFS

[Reef Frog]

While 1.022 may not be fatal to stony corals, it certainly isn't ideal for those who will be putting them in a tank at 1.026 - especially with SPS like acros. I would certainly pass up his stock if there were another LFS with equivalent specimims at 1.026 accross town.

I also wouldn't like to put shrimp & crabs into a new system with that differential. I can see lower salinity for fish, but nothing else. He's not doing the customers any favors there.

I was in the SW hobby for over a year before I learned about MY LFS & hypo salinity thanks to getting clued in by RC. Duhh! But there were no signs at the store, and employees, including the owner who I had been doing business with for years, told me nothing. But they still like to advise new customers "not to believe what you read on the Internet".

As a business owner, I never have a problem with a customer who expresses concerns or wants to talk over a real or perceived issue in a constructive manner. It's essential to customer retention and serves a quality control function IMO & IME.

 

[snorvich]

While 1.022 may not be fatal to stony corals, it certainly isn't ideal for those who will be putting them in a tank at 1.026 - especially with SPS like acros. I would certainly pass up his stock if there were another LFS with equivalent specimims at 1.026 accross town.

I also wouldn't like to put shrimp & crabs into a new system with that differential. I can see lower salinity for fish, but nothing else. He's not doing the customers any favors there.

I was in the SW hobby for over a year before I learned about MY LFS & hypo salinity thanks to getting clued in by RC. Duhh! But there were no signs at the store, and employees, including the owner who I had been doing business with for years, told me nothing. But they still like to advise new customers "not to believe what you read on the Internet".

As a business owner, I never have a problem with a customer who expresses concerns or wants to talk over a real or perceived issue in a constructive manner. It's essential to customer retention and serves a quality control function IMO & IME.

I believe we are only talking about fish. Many LFS keep their fish SG low and their coral SG at or near NSW. 1.022 to 1.026 is not a significant problem for corals.

 

[snorvich]

But in any case, if you do not like the practices of the LFS, don't buy from them. I always test transport water and accommodate accordingly.

 

[Reef Frog]

I believe we are only talking about fish. Many LFS keep their fish SG low and their coral SG at or near NSW. 1.022 to 1.026 is not a significant problem for corals.

The third sentence states coral & inverts were in 1.022 water at the OP's LFS. The fourth sentence states he (OP) found it to be 1.012 - but not sure if he was talking fish water or coral/invert water. But probably fish I guess.

Like I said, 1.022 isn't likely to be fatal, but it may be in some cases, especially to a wild caught or already stressed specimen. But it sure can't help - and I look at it with concern if I'm ready to spend top dollar on a coral. I understand some KEEP their stonies at that value successfully. But it's the sudden change that may be problematic - especially if the coral has been in the LFS tank & is well acclimated to that level already and then gets plopped in a DT at the typical 1.026 level, often at a different temperature, light level and probably alkalinity level to just add to the mix. How many times have we read "Corals Need Stability" and advise those with low salinity to raise it "gradually" after all? I think having all factors aligned towards the ideal to the extent possible should be a goal of a consciences LFS IMO.

Reports of perfectly healthy LPS & SPS corals (especially Acros) not acclimating properly after purchase are numerous as I'm sure you know. They appear on an almost daily basis on RC & other boards. Often, the absolute cause is never determined and is unknowable to the average hobbyist. But whose to say it's not a factor in the problems we read about?

IMO it's not a good practice for a LFS & is certainly not in the customers' best interest. Maybe it's nit-picking & a particular buyer may never have a problem. To each his own I guess. But when I see something like this, I have to wonder what other things may be lacking at the LFS that I'm unaware of. Like when in a restaurant with a filthy restroom - you have to wonder how management keeps the kitchen .

 

[Reef Frog]

But in any case, if you do not like the practices of the LFS, don't buy from them. I always test transport water and accommodate accordingly.

That's what I do Steve. I vote with my dollar. I'm lucky to have one outstanding SW store and two marginal but OK stores in my home small city. The excellent store is a stickler for detail, his stock is amazing, his store is full of advanced customers and he is making money.

Your advice is spot on regarding fish (as always). But I value attention to detail when buying things and prefer not to decide if it was best to do a multi day acclimation to coral purchases for the sole reason of a salinity discrepancy that is so easy to avoid. (I do temp aclimation and a thorough pest dip protocol).

Background: Several years ago I left town with my skimmer set to skim wet because I simply forgot to adjust it to dry or turn it off. My ATO faithfully kept up, I got delayed a few days and I came back to a ~1.022 tank (was 1.026). Corals were not happy - coloration & PE were off at first glance. So I guess Ive been mildly paranoid about the whole stability mantra ever since!!!

 

[Sk8r]

It's good practice to ask about the salinity and have the qt pre-set, but also good practice to use your refractometer on the bag water just to be sure. I've received shipped fish where things were 'off'.

That said, I am not overly fond of fish store measures that suppress a problem only to have it break out once the fish gets to its new home. I'm ok if they advise me they're doing it. But I want information if they want me as a longterm customer.

 

[lu9103]

I acclimated all my fish for about 1 to 3 hours before introducing them to the tank. Every time I buy coral or fish I always ask what is the salinity and temperature of the water, sometimes they give me an attitude but now they know me so its no that big of a deal now.