Salinity
- Thread starter Ronny#66
- Start date
Mariner
New member
Ocean water is typically about 1.027, although there is variation. From what I've observed here on RC, I'd say most experienced reefkeepers keep it somewhere between 1.025 and 1.027. Much lower will kill inverts, but I doubt that 1.025-1.024 is gonna matter to most snails.
FWIW, Keeping SG at the proper level really helps maintain good water chemistry.
HTH,
Mariner
FWIW, Keeping SG at the proper level really helps maintain good water chemistry.
HTH,
Mariner
Mariner
New member
Where have you read that 1.023 to 1.024 is ideal SG for a REEF? I don't believe I've seen that in print, or even suggested by a newby on an internet forum.
LFS often keep tanks lower for several reasons ... saves money on salt...it's easier to acclimate new fish and inverts to slightly lower SG than to slightly higher...or they may still believe the myth that slightly lower SG will kill parasites.
IMO, if you are continually losing snails from this LFS and your SG is higher than his, one of two things is true:
1) You need to acclimate more slowly.
2) The snails have been mishandled before you got them and you should try a different supplier.
HTH,
Mariner
LFS often keep tanks lower for several reasons ... saves money on salt...it's easier to acclimate new fish and inverts to slightly lower SG than to slightly higher...or they may still believe the myth that slightly lower SG will kill parasites.
IMO, if you are continually losing snails from this LFS and your SG is higher than his, one of two things is true:
1) You need to acclimate more slowly.
2) The snails have been mishandled before you got them and you should try a different supplier.
HTH,
Mariner
MotherFish
New member
Hi Ronnie,
Most LFS keep a slightly lower salinity because it saves them money on salt.
If it was your business and you had to watch the bottomline you would probably do the same.
Natural seawater varies in salinity depending on what part of the globe you're measuring.
Here is a chart to give you an idea of salinity levels from around the world measure in ppt.
(commonly accepted ppt for reef tanks is 35ppt or approx 1.026sg on your refractometer)
rustyjames
EMT-B
why are the brackets (ideal range) on a deep six hydrometer so much lower? based on fish only?
I never said the books said 1.023 - 1.024 the books say 1.024 or higher and thats what I've been doing for two years 1.025 . I had LFS in Michigan say that theres was always 1.023- 1.024 and at 1.025 was too high. LFS here is 1.023- 1.024 So they sugested I lower mine. Now watch everthing start dying!!
Ronny
Ronny
kraze3
New member
Actually a lower salinity is easier on the fish's respitory system. They can breathe alot better. the downfall to this is that it can cause problems if the fish is exposed to the lower SG for to long.
You can lower the SG rapidly without causing harm to a fish. However bringing it back up must be done very slowly. So a fish store that gets a shipment of fish in can acclimate the fish to thier tanks fast and easy.
You also need to understand that some LFS dont follow all the rules. Lots of them only house these fish and corals for a short period of time. IMO the advice you get here is much more credible than alot of LFS. The LFS needs to do what is best for thier short term situation and we need to do what is best for our long term.
How are you acclimating these snails to your aquarium?
You can lower the SG rapidly without causing harm to a fish. However bringing it back up must be done very slowly. So a fish store that gets a shipment of fish in can acclimate the fish to thier tanks fast and easy.
You also need to understand that some LFS dont follow all the rules. Lots of them only house these fish and corals for a short period of time. IMO the advice you get here is much more credible than alot of LFS. The LFS needs to do what is best for thier short term situation and we need to do what is best for our long term.
How are you acclimating these snails to your aquarium?
Kraze3 So once again comes down to $ with these stores.I don't want to beat a dead horse but most here know what i think about most of these LFS . I've posted on this before and most here love to berate me on the subject of LFS. And with the economy like it is who knows whats next as far as LFS antics go! Ya go ahead blast me ! Your never going to change my mind on this. We have only 2 in my state near me one is a dump stinks animals they sell . Tanks pathetic ! Other is good very clean but have trouble with there inverts. Just seems to be a issue between there tanks and mine. Thats whyI lowered my salinity. Just retested it's 1.024 . I'm going to keep it there.
Mariner
New member
I don't understand you man.
You post on here asking about salinity. The overwhelming response is 1.025+. You indicate that you don't have much confidence in LFS, and yet you are going to keep you SG where the LFS has it?
I'm not basting you at all, but the logic escapes me brother!
Everyone on this board probably buys from LFS who keep their tanks at 1.024 or even a good bit below. Yet the vast majority of us keep our own tanks at 1.025 or higher. Go check out the water parameters for Tanks of the Month for the last several months....never mind I will.
Here are there SG's
March 1.025
Feb 1.026
Jan. 1.026
Dec. 1.025
Nov. 1.025
Oct. No tank
Sept.1.025
Aug. 1.026
Notice a trend?
Mariner
You post on here asking about salinity. The overwhelming response is 1.025+. You indicate that you don't have much confidence in LFS, and yet you are going to keep you SG where the LFS has it?
I'm not basting you at all, but the logic escapes me brother!Everyone on this board probably buys from LFS who keep their tanks at 1.024 or even a good bit below. Yet the vast majority of us keep our own tanks at 1.025 or higher. Go check out the water parameters for Tanks of the Month for the last several months....never mind I will.
Here are there SG's
March 1.025
Feb 1.026
Jan. 1.026
Dec. 1.025
Nov. 1.025
Oct. No tank
Sept.1.025
Aug. 1.026
Notice a trend?
Mariner
Start your QT tank at the LFS salinity and slowly raise it. That eliminates the stress factor. Some LFS have fish very low in salinity, but there is no good evidence that they are healthier in less than NSW salinity long term. 
