scarlet reef hermits ok at 1.018 sg?

[njp14333]

im setting up a FO tank with a low sg (1.018) and was curious whether or not hermits would be ok with the low sg?

 

[moggyhill]

why do you want such a low sg?

 

[marrone]

The Hermit should be fine at that SG level, as they're pretty tough and usually can handle it. But be careful putting in other inverts, like starfish as they're probably not going to be able to handle it and will die and melt away in your tank.

 

[njp14333]

the reason for a low sg is that ich (or any parasite for that matter) has a greatly shortened life cycle when faced with low sg and high water temp (82ish degrees). so, my plan is that if ich ever overwelms my tank, i can take the fish out and QT them, and let my tank stay without anything to host for about two weeks, and then the parasite should die off.

somebodys probably wondering why i wouldn't just QT the fish in the first place... lol well i do, but in the past iv still had ich outbreaks seamenly come from nowhere, so im just being prepared this time.

also, lower sg = less salt = less money (im a poor teenanger)

 

[cloudjockey]

ick will still live fine in 1.018. I think the high temp could stress the fish and even make them more likely to get ick.

 

[jasonkola]

I believe the low salinity shortens the life of the hermits too. for a long time I ran a salinity of 1.021 - 1.022 and all crabs snails and shrimp slowly died off over a period of a few years. although if you are going to run it only for only a month or so. it might be ok. although I would recomend making that change slowely as a quick change will difinitely upset them possibly kill them.

 

[njp14333]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7054593#post7054593 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cloudjockey
ick will still live fine in 1.018. I think the high temp could stress the fish and even make them more likely to get ick.

ich will still live, but it's life cycle is greatly shortened. high temp? how many reef tanks are successfully kept at 82ish? its not like they don't have fish.

 

[njp14333]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7054724#post7054724 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jasonkola
I believe the low salinity shortens the life of the hermits too. for a long time I ran a salinity of 1.021 - 1.022 and all crabs snails and shrimp slowly died off over a period of a few years. although if you are going to run it only for only a month or so. it might be ok. although I would recomend making that change slowely as a quick change will difinitely upset them possibly kill them.

ya i only plan to run the low salinity for a couple of months. (sorry if i made it sound otherwise). once i am satisfied with my stocking and confident their is no chance of an ich outbreak, i will very slowly raise the sg up to 1.024, since this is the same sg at my prop tank, which will make for easier water changes since i can mix the sw for both tanks in the same tub.