Whats your salinity??

[bradcliffe]

I'm having a real difficult time keeping fish alive. All my standard tank parameters are excellent. Also, Alk and cal are near sea water conditions. Corals are thriving, inverts are all very healthy looking. Ive come down to the conclusion that I must be running to high of salinity (1.025-26, 34-45 ppt) as measured by a calibrated refractometer.
Which brings me to the subject of this post, Whats everyone running there salinity at and have you had better/worse luck at any given amount? Is my salinity Too High? it seems most information that is out there says to keep it at or near nsw conditions.

 

[drummereef]

Mine is 1.026. The salinity of natural seawater. I don't believe there is substantial evidence to keep your salinity otherwise. What method of calibration are you using for the refractometer?

Reef Aquarium Salinity: Homemade Calibration Standards
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/rhf/index.htm

What temp do you keep your reef at? And how are the fluxuations from day/night?

 

[michaeldaly]

I also have mine at 1.026 I use natural sea-water so it is usually very stable.

 

[Joe Cool]

1.026

 

[grips]

I keep mine at 1.025 measured with a refractometer.

 

[SJGreene]

Ditto grips.

1.025 measured with a refractometer.

How long do your fish survive for? Is it possible that it has something to do with your acclimation technique? I know a lot of LFS seem to keep their FO systems low, like in the range of 1.015-1.019.

Just a thought.

 

[Lion_Babe]

Most of our tanks are at 1.026. The other one is at 1.024. I should raise it though, but that tank is thriving.

 

[oli5]

I have mine around 1.024 and the fish seem happy.

 

[mwwhite]

1.0265.

 

[Bebo77]

1.025

 

[FZ1Rider]

My hydrometer had broken a few days back and I had bought a new one for a water change but also ordered a refractometer (on friday) which showed up today (thanks Marinedepot). Anyway both hydrometers read 1.026 but the refractometer reads 1.030. It's probably calibration since I used Deer Park water to calibrate it while at work. I'll go get distilled water when I leave here today.

Anyway 1.026 is what I shoot for.

Peter

 

[zooty]

1.027-8
Bringing it down to 1.026 next water change.

Swing-arm was reading 1.026 got a refratometer and found I was .002 high

But everything looks good but the BTA

 

[Nano Chris]

Mine 1.025 and good.

 

[bradcliffe]

I calibrate it with plain Ro/Di water...It should read zero correct? I usually acclimate for an hour or so using the turkey baster method(add a few squirts, remove a few...). This has always worked for me in the past. To keep it short, I lived in MI and had my tank up with absolutely no problems in a year or so. Moved everything but the kitchen sink to Bakersfield CA and since then I cant keep a fish to save my life(it may be the Air quality . Should I try acclimating longer?

 

[fareforce]

1.0255 measured with a refractometer. My fish seem to love it.

 

[mg426]

1.026 here.

 

[WaterKeeper]

This must be salinity quiz day see Salinity for more incite.

 

[bradcliffe]

Really, I never thought my post was going to generate this much feedback! Thanks guys!!
I guess I'll just take more time to acclimate. Sounds like many of you enjoy great success when meeting NSW conditions...As have I, with the exception of Fish?????

 

[FZ1Rider]

BTW, I just calibrated my refractometer and sure enough the hydrometers both said 1.026 the refractometer says 1.029. Guess I'll have to start bringing that down.

Peter

 

[RTKBA308]

Without starting another salinity thread, I'll ask here .

My salinity is at 1.023 and I would like to bring it up. I'm due for a 10% water change. Would it be alright if the new water I put in was 1.026? So that I can raise the tank salinity.