Marine organisms have difficulty adjusting to constantly varying Salinity levels.
Low salinity can lead to coral bleaching and crustacean death.
Often, salinity levels fluctuate in an aquarium for the following reasons:
- Salt creep
- Inaccurate measurement of replacement water
- Drastically fluctuating system water levels from poor top-up procedures
- Fluctuating temperatures and lack of accurate measurement of system water
Care should be taken to avoid the aforementioned, which will result in a more naturally
constant environment, and ultimately leave you with a less stressed system, thereby resulting in healthier tank inhabitants.
Lab Aquatics recommends a Salinity of S=35ppt, a pH of 8.4, an Alkalinity of 9 dKH, a Calcium level of
400 ppm and a constant temperature of 78ºF for most reef systems. Maintained using
either a Calcium reactor or Kalkwasser dosing, carbonate buffer
and regular weekly water changes with a good quality salt mix. This note is
added here as studies show a direct correlation between
reduced salinity and increased elemental toxicity to marine organisms.
See also: Elemental Sodium (Na)
The main Salt ions that make up 99.9% of sea water are:
|
Chemical Ion |
~
Concentration (ppm) |
~ Salinity % |
|
Chloride Cl |
19345 |
54.97 |
|
Sodium Na |
10800 |
30.69 |
|
Sulfate SO4 |
2701 |
7.67 |
|
Magnesium Mg |
1280 |
3.63 |
|
Calcium Ca |
418 |
1.19 |
|
Potassium K |
399 |
1.13 |
|
Bicarbonate HCO3 |
145 |
0.41 |
|
Bromide Br |
66 |
0.19 |
|
Borate BO3 |
27 |
0.08 |
|
Strontium Sr |
13 |
0.04 |
|
Fluoride F |
1 |
0.003 |
Specific Gravity in your aquarium:
Specific Gravity calculations are always temperature dependant. Manufacturers typically
temperature calibrate their Hydrometers to the 77ºF standard and anticipate a sample
temperature of 77ºF but this varies so be sure to know your Hydrometers operating
expectations and calibration parameters.
The Lab Aquatics test will provide you with a digitally measured and formulated
Salinity and Specific Gravity reading, from which you can compare, the accuracy of
your home equipment. Just be sure to take your specific gravity reading before you
extract the sample and ship it to us with your test kit vials.
|