Long Term Low Salinity

Hey everyone,

I have a quick question. I just got a new hydrometer and tested my water, and saw that it was at a specific gravity of about 1.021-1.020....this is pretty low. But I'm pretty sure it has been like this for some time, and the corals and fish seem fine. I know that corals can grow without consequence in water of at leave above 1.018. I am going to slowly raise it back up to 1.023ish. I guess I just wanted to see if anyone keeps their salinity low for any reason? Excuse to go to the local fish store and get salt/MORE FISH! hah...

 

Hey chap! One question, what is the temp of your water ?! (Salinity decreases with increasing temperature).

 

Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine - Aquarium Fish: Applications for Hyposalinity Therapy: The Benefits of Salinity Manipulation for Marine Fish
Check this out Bruce to help ya.
A low salinity that has gradually gotten that way will not have any negative results and you really don't have to be that concerned about it in my opinion. Just go slowly if you ultimatly plan on getting it up to 1.024-26 range. Problems will arise with elevating or decreasing salinity too quickly as you know!

 

Yup yup, I feel as though the salt creep over the years combined my lack of water changes has created a slightly low salinity environment for my fish. Im going to try and bring it up slowy.

As for the temp, the tank stays 76-79

 

Skimmer will pull salt out also. Just put some salt in top off water for a while and keep an eye on.

 

any new additions to the tank may go into shock so i agree with bringing the salt up slowly so the new corals and fish you add will have a better chance.i run mine at 1.025 which i think is closer the natural.lfs run theirs lower because less bad things survive in it.

 

does that also mean salinity increases when temp decreases?