Proper Salinity

[les]

Most of what I read says salinity should be kept at 1.020 to 1.025, for salt water fish. However our local marine fish store says 1.016 is what he recommends. Does anyone know what the right salinity should be, or is there a large variance.
Thanks,
Les

 

[ebeckels]

i keep my tanks at 1.023

 

[kevin01]

For a reef tank without many critters I like 1.024. I have experienced better Coraline growth with higher SG.

 

[nm reef]

I keep my systems at 1.023....I believe most LFS 's keep theirs lower to inhibit disease from getting a foothold while they short term keep the fish folks like me and you buy!!!

 

[adrian]

I keep my tanks at 1.025 Anywhere from 1.023-1.026SG is acceptable, as long as its stable. Lower salinitys are said to inhibit parasite outbreaks in fish only systems which is why your LFS may be suggesting this. HTH

 

[mal]

My s.g. is 1.024 @79-80F My corals really seem to like it there. I have tried it a bit lower,021-023 range, but they really seem to open more and look better around 024.

 

[up north hermit]

Salinity is 1.025 @ 81-82 degrees. Kept constant by dripping Kalk 24/7.
JME
Hermit

 

[nosmada]

i also keep mine 1.025-1.026. my LFS keeps theres at 1.017. they tell me its to keep the fish from getting diseases such as ich. i just make sure i acclimate anything i buy there for a longet peroid.
chris

 

[starfishjackedme]

I keep mine at 1.0235 0r 32ppt. I think that 1.023-1.024 is good. I keep it constant with a float valve actuated top-off unit w/kak

 

[jagster]

You are all talking about the specific gravity, which is not salinity. Sp. gravity should be around 1.024 - 1.027. Salinity should be 35-36 ppt.

 

[texasreefrat]

1.025 for me.

 

[adrian]

whoops
[ December 08, 2001: Message edited by: Adrian ]

 

[starfishjackedme]

If natural seawater is 1.025 then why would you ever want to keep it higher than that?

 

[adrian]

Because some places are not naturally 1.025 Theres no such thing as a real salinty for natural water due to the fact that every reef enviroment has a different salinity. Parts of the red sea are as high as 1.030