Salty question

[goldfish]

This may be a dumb question-please don't flame me!!
We've had lots of talk on this board about lowering salinity levels when ich has taken over our tanks. My question is this--How are the fish able to survive such a low salinity level for 3 weeks when we are supposed to keep it up to 1.23 level at all times? Is it ok to keep our tanks at lower salinity levels to possibly avoid ich?
Again, don't flame me...I'm just looking for thoughts on this subject.

 

[nm reef]

For the most part folks refrain from the flame here........My meager understanding is that we do want to maintain 1.023 but temporary lower will help in some situations....but is not reccommended for long term due to additional stress on critters......I've never tried this method of treatment and hopefully never will need to
Also try posting this in disease and treatment.....folks there are regular fish docs.......

 

[tonga]

if you slowly lower it over a weeks time or so the fish will get used to it at a gradual level rather then lowering it quickly. But back to your original question, say you lower your salinity to 1.015 or something like that, for s short period of time it wont effect the fish, but if you do that for long periods of time (I'm talking months here) it will eventually shorten the fishs` life.

 

[goldfish]

Thanks guys!!!

 

[jimi]

Long term is what is potentially dangerous. It must be lowered to 1.009 over the course of two or more days.

 

[goofieones]

Also if you have any inverts, don't lower it because inverts and other critters can't stand the lower salt levels and will perish.

 

[wickedwes]

i keep my tank at about 1.022-1.023 and my lfs said i need to lower it. they said that they keep their tanks at 1.015 and that i should try to get mine down there. another reason not to listen to those guys!