saltanity level what should it be
- Thread starter chris31
- Start date
HighlandReefer
Team RC
1.025 is within the recommended range. I subscribe to the theory of maintaining your salinity level to as close to natural salt water levels as possible, which is 1.0264. Many reefers do the same. 
Roy G. Biv
Premium Member
1.026 here.
HighlandReefer
Team RC
I think Randy Holmes-Farley sums up this discussion best when he states in his article listed here: http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php
"For reference, natural ocean water has a salinity of about 35 ppt, corresponding to a specific gravity of about 1.0264 and a conductivity of 53 mS/cm.
As far as I know, there is little real evidence that keeping a coral reef aquarium at anything other than natural levels is preferable. It appears to be common practice to keep marine fish, and in many cases reef aquaria, at somewhat lower than natural salinity levels. This practice stems, at least in part, from the belief that fish are less stressed at reduced salinity. Substantial misunderstandings also arise among aquarists as to how specific gravity really relates to salinity, especially considering temperature effects.
Ron Shimek has discussed salinity on natural reefs in a previous article. His recommendation, and mine as well, is to maintain salinity at a natural level. If the organisms in the aquarium are from brackish environments with lower salinity, or from the Red Sea with higher salinity, selecting something other than 35 ppt may make good sense. Otherwise, I suggest targeting a salinity of 35 ppt (specific gravity = 1.0264; conductivity = 53 mS/cm)".
Sorry I offended you by "thoughing" out this information.
"For reference, natural ocean water has a salinity of about 35 ppt, corresponding to a specific gravity of about 1.0264 and a conductivity of 53 mS/cm.
As far as I know, there is little real evidence that keeping a coral reef aquarium at anything other than natural levels is preferable. It appears to be common practice to keep marine fish, and in many cases reef aquaria, at somewhat lower than natural salinity levels. This practice stems, at least in part, from the belief that fish are less stressed at reduced salinity. Substantial misunderstandings also arise among aquarists as to how specific gravity really relates to salinity, especially considering temperature effects.
Ron Shimek has discussed salinity on natural reefs in a previous article. His recommendation, and mine as well, is to maintain salinity at a natural level. If the organisms in the aquarium are from brackish environments with lower salinity, or from the Red Sea with higher salinity, selecting something other than 35 ppt may make good sense. Otherwise, I suggest targeting a salinity of 35 ppt (specific gravity = 1.0264; conductivity = 53 mS/cm)".
Sorry I offended you by "thoughing" out this information.
jimbo78
Premium Member
well since i got to the florida keys or the each almost every weekend maybe i'll start taking my refractometer with me. i think it a safe bet that if i checked it ten times on different days i would get different readings. i would bet i would get differnt readings the same day if i checked the golf side and the ocean side of the keys. to say that the ocean has a saliniity of 1.0264 is stupid<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13322028#post13322028 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by HighlandReefer
I think Randy Holmes-Farley sums up this discussion best when he states in his article listed here: http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php
"For reference, natural ocean water has a salinity of about 35 ppt, corresponding to a specific gravity of about 1.0264 and a conductivity of 53 mS/cm.
As far as I know, there is little real evidence that keeping a coral reef aquarium at anything other than natural levels is preferable. It appears to be common practice to keep marine fish, and in many cases reef aquaria, at somewhat lower than natural salinity levels. This practice stems, at least in part, from the belief that fish are less stressed at reduced salinity. Substantial misunderstandings also arise among aquarists as to how specific gravity really relates to salinity, especially considering temperature effects.
Ron Shimek has discussed salinity on natural reefs in a previous article. His recommendation, and mine as well, is to maintain salinity at a natural level. If the organisms in the aquarium are from brackish environments with lower salinity, or from the Red Sea with higher salinity, selecting something other than 35 ppt may make good sense. Otherwise, I suggest targeting a salinity of 35 ppt (specific gravity = 1.0264; conductivity = 53 mS/cm)".
Sorry I offended you by "thoughing" out this information.
greenbean36191
Premium Member
The 1.0264 is so precise because it's a direct conversion from the often cited value of 35 ppt as full-strength seawater. It doesn't reflect a precision in measurement, nor does it reflect the natural variation. An average reef (which doesn't actually exist) ranges from 1.026-1.027. In the real world, 1.025-1.031 is acceptable for a mixed tank.
HighlandReefer
Team RC
There is a nice convenient mark on refractometers and hydrometers for 35 ppt (or 1.0264 specific gravity). When you state the figure in parts per trillion, "35", that's not such an wierd number, but I will not argue that 1.026 is not OK. It is all a matter of perspective. LOL.
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