running a reef tank on 1.022 sal.

[SAreefer]

Hi would it be possible to run a reef tank on salinity of 1.022. The reason i'm asking is that i'm a member of the V&A waterfront aquarium. I am allowed to collect water from them that has run through their filters and is of very good quality. The problem is the water is at a salinity of 1.022/1.021.

Any advice would be great...

 

[Meloco14]

I used to keep my tank at 1.022 when it was mostly fish and very few corals to prevent parasites. IMO fish can thrive in salinity that level, but inverts, corals, and such prefer the higher salinity around 1.025. But, this has just been from my experience, not scientifically proven or anything.

 

[Anonymous]

1.025 here.

 

[Anonymous]

You could always bump it up before you put it in your tank. Just make sure everything is dissolved before you add.

 

[Anonymous]

You could always bump it up before you put it in your tank. Just make sure everything is dissolved before you add.

that would be my suggestion too, I'd add a little salt mix to the water and aeriate well.

 

[SAreefer]

why is it important to have such a high salinity??
I dont really want to add more salt to the water, but if I have to then so be it.

 

[Anonymous]

why is it important to have such a high salinity??
I dont really want to add more salt to the water, but if I have to then so be it.

Because most natural reefs are at 1.025-027, and the corals do much better at a higher SG, as do most snails and other invertibrates. Fish on the other hand can take higher or lower SG without too many problems.

 

[jenniferjeter]

Yep corals need higher salinity. They don't do well otherwise.

 

[jimmyj]

You can also just take the 1.022 water in a barrel or other container with circulation and a heater - and just leave it like that until evaporation gets the SG to 1.025-1.026.