what SG for FO

[soundgeek]

I am setting up a 62gal fish only tank and was curious what people run their Specific Gravity at. In my reef tank I keep it at 1.026 but wasn't sure if that was necessary for a fish only tank.

Thanks

 

[trekel]

i have have heard of people going as low as 1.018to 1.019 becuase this will lower the chances of parasites and ich but this is in FISH ONLY no snails or hermits. I have also heard that some fish can live in 1.016

 

[3rotorFD]

I keep mine @ 1.022 and keeps some inverts and xenias in my FO
everything is good so far.........

 

[DrBDC]

IMO why keep them at anything other than NSW levels. Salt ins't that expensive. Many run their tanks at incorrect salinity levels too instead of the 1.026-1.027. If they are sick it's one thing but all the time?

 

[aquaman67]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6707982#post6707982 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 3rotorFD
I keep mine @ 1.022 and keeps some inverts and xenias in my FO
everything is good so far.........

If you have xenia in your tank, is it really FO?

I mean I know xenia doesn't make it a reef tank, but it's really not FO either.

Maybe someone can make up a new name....

Oh,

and I'm keeping my FO tank at 1.020.

My reef is at 1.025 and my nano cube is at 1.023.

 

[FMarini]

There are 2 schools of thought on this.
1)- keep the SG at or near natural salt water 1.024-1.026
2) keep at slightly below (1.018-1.020) due to the fact that lower saline water facilitates O2 transport.
I'm not sure which is right and I've seen both. I keep my fish at 1.024, however I got friend w/ Fo tanks and they keep it lower. Lower SG means less salt (saves U $$$), and the fish osmregulate easier.
As an FYI, the lower salinity does nothing for the parasites, you need SG around 1.009-1.010 to have an effect on ich, etc. However the lower SG has been slow to allow bacteria to replicate slower, so i guess bacterial infections may propagate slower. Don't know for sure

 

[stevebydac]

I've kept FO at various SG, and it never seemed to bother the aggressive fish I've had. Anywhere from 1.018 and up. Usually at 1.021-1.023. I've kept a tank at 1.014 for over a month to eliminate a small ich outbreak, no problems.

 

[Billybeau1]

I've kept my FO 1.020 - 1.021 for years. Less stressful for the fishies i've heard. I tried to ask mine but I'm still waiting for an answer.

 

[soundgeek]

It is currently at 1.024 so I guess I will leave it there. I guess I can try asking the fish what they like also. Thanks for the input.

 

[3rotorFD]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6708769#post6708769 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aquaman67
If you have xenia in your tank, is it really FO?

I mean I know xenia doesn't make it a reef tank, but it's really not FO either.

Maybe someone can make up a new name....

Oh,

and I'm keeping my FO tank at 1.020.

My reef is at 1.025 and my nano cube is at 1.023.

 

[VolitanLioness]

I keep my FO at 1.025, have for years & it works for me.....

Kaye

 

[Jim_S]

I keep mine at 1.020, but I have run it around 1.017-1.018 at times.

Jim

 

[dchao]

IMO, any value will do, stability is the key!

I do top-off every day to maintain the same water level accurately.

I am also considering auto top-off to make it easy for me.

 

[soundgeek]

I am setting up my auto top off today. I have it on my reef tank and I like it because it is one less thing to worry about. Once I get my ro/di unit I won't even have to worry about filling up the top off tank anymore.

 

[TapeWorm]

I am at 1.009-1.010 right now for Hypo and my fish never looked better. They eat more and are more active than at normal SG.

 

[aquajamieb]

this is a great thread. Seems to me most people keep it up high, or down low. mine is fairly new, so i am still looking for that happy medium. 1.023 so far.

 

[Ironsheikh]

I'm at .022 -.023 no big deal I think anywhere from .021 -.025

I have one ricordia for color and maybe some mushrooms in the future

 

[waterfaller1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6708769#post6708769 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aquaman67
If
Maybe someone can make up a new name....

I find that snails fall off the glass at low SG...I keep all my tanks at 1.025.
I have a tank that was supposed to be a FOWLR. It seemed boring..no color. So I added a couple corals, and called it FOWLRAFC Now a few more corals have snuck over there somehow..so it's a reef.

 

[asmodeus]

LOL good one I keep my tank at 1.023 with a high ALK 11.-12DKH. But still battling ,my PH is always at 7.9 may be it will get to 8.0 but once in a blue moon.

ANy sugguestions i keep a bare bottom the tank is drilled with 2 over flows lots of o2 getting in the tank too.. I have one over flow blocked off just because .....


mike

 

[tah532]

I keep mine at between 19and 20, less stress on the fish. I also have 3 hermit crabs, one that wont stop growing, and a couple of turbos that seem to not mind the lower salinity.