salinity at 1,17

[briansreeftank19660426]

i have a friend who keeeps his salinity very low.. says fish do better and helps fighting potential ick..is this true? is there a downside?
i wsa thinking that if i buy a fish at my lfs and he goes from 1.23 to 1.17 in my tank is that healthy ? whats the best salinity level. i read in books 121 to 125? replies welcome

 

[wamp]

That salinity is too low. The long term affcts may be the problem. Some LFS do keep theirs low to keep off parasites and other infections but the long term is what you need to worry about.

 

[galina]

Most fish stores keep thier salinity around 1.15-1.19. In a fish only tank without inverts I would keep my salinity about 1.21-1.23.
Galina

 

[kris]

What your friend is doing is a permanent state of hyposalinity--the method used for CURING ick and other parasites. The long term effects are really not good--he may not notice that their little bodies are working much harder to function. It will shorten their lives considerably.
Yes some dealers do do this and I have also seen them run copper through all their display tanks all the time. The difference here is the that the fish are only there for a limited time, not near long enough for any long term damage.
I really would not recommend it.

 

[jsolomon]

Anthem, nice post, I agree with you according to all that I haved read. Fish do not have to "work as hard" in lower salinity, thus putting less stress on the fish itself, which in turn gives you a healthier fish (theoretically). I am not saying to keep your salinity low, that is up to you. I keep my salinity at 1.020, but keep in mind, that is alot lower than the ocean which is 1.026. Just Some food for thought

 

[tvan]

Here on the gulf side of florida I've seen anything end up anywhere. I'd say as long as the captives are happy have at it. I've seen crabs and conchs in brackish water as well as different types of fish. The inportant thing is the heath of the livestock.
My 2 cents

 

[kris]

First let me sincerely apologize for having my osmo thing backwards, I thought it was the other way around--again I'm sorry for that--thank you guys for correcting me I appreciate it greatly.
Although-I have to ask then--if that is true in fact then why don't we run our tanks lower?
On the poll a few weeks ago the average person keeps an sg of 1.023. That is what most people are taught as beginners. Both of you say it is easier and better for them, yet you both say you don't recommend it. What is the down side if not harder and potentialy harmful in the long term. (Talking strictly fish here)
Just wondering?
I know, I know Ed--you're really wishing by now I would just go down and buy some more advanced books so I'd quit bugging you--but you are so much more conveniant