salinity discrepency

[lirpa]

I have been told by my lfs to keep my salinty around 1.020 to prevent some fish diseases, like ick. I currently have it at 1.023, and have been told in a few posts this is too low, and 1.026 is better. I plan on having fish only, plus my snails and hermit crabs. Is .026 better, or .020?? Why such a large range?

 

[alyssia]

1.026. If you keep inverts at 1.020 they won't survive long. LFS's just keep it low hoping it will take care of ich. I believe though that you have to have your salinity at 1.009 to kill ich.

 

[pclown]

I dont think you will kill anything at 1.023 but it would be good to raise it a little. I keep mine at 1.024 and I have yet to lose a hermit crab or a snail. I dont have any shrimp.