specific gravity driving me insane!

J

JCS11236

Large Fish
#1
Jun 22, 2005
101
0
0
New York City
#1
ok----can sum one tell me what should my specific gravity be at

i know my buddy occ told me 1024---but then my pet store is tellin me 1018-1020 to keep parasites away
my other buddy told me to keep it at 1022 and then i went to naturesocean.com(by the way--has anyone ever tried using that sea water that they sell--i was thinkin bout buying it--its like 13 bucks for 4.4 gallons of saltwater with all trace elements in it) where they say the true salinity of saltwater is 1027 and thats what my fish tank should be?
so please --someone tell me exaclty where to set it at!!!!!!!!
is 1027 too high?
:)
 

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G

Grymatta

Large Fish
#4
May 16, 2005
439
0
0
#4
I think 1.024 is the ideal for a reef. SW Fish can tolerate a wider range.

I believe you can set your salinity a 1.018-1.020 temporary to drive out parasites (cause they dont tolerate that low of a range that your fish can). However in the long run, this might not be good for your fish's overall lifespan.

I think $13 for 4 gallons of premade SW is kinda expensive. If you want water with trace elements and minerals/etc. get the "Reef Crystals" salt mix. Its got all that good stuff in it..
 

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W

wayne

Elite Fish
#5
Oct 22, 2002
4,077
3
0
#5
1.024 is less than natural seawater in most reef areas, 1.025. 1.027 is the Red Sea.

1.018 - 1.022 is not low enough to stop parasites, but too low for many inverts to do well
 

W

wayne

Elite Fish
#7
Oct 22, 2002
4,077
3
0
#7
1.025. I've had fish down to 1.009 for hyposalinity treatment though, and nothing much went wrong, but for inverts and long term fish health I like 1.024 - 1.026.

I don't have any numbers to hand for pH. Shoot for 8.2 to 8.4. 8.5, 8.6 is not unknown naturally either. In aquaria 8 to 8.2 is more normal as there are higher concentrations of organics (naturally acidic).

One trend you should beware is that if you go 'low' on either/and of the above you greatly increase your chances of a full blown algal problem.
 

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