Low Salinity in LFS Fish Systems?

[SteveMM62Reef]

Sampled the water in the bag, and it was just a hair over 28 ppt, at 76F this calculates out 1.0211 SG I double checked using a floating needle Hydrometer, my lab meter hadn’t been calculated in a while, and it agreed with the meter. Yes, I know this check is backwards. I rechecked the temperature also, must which was taken and entered in Celsius. I did a 2 hour 45 minute slow drip, acclimation.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

Sampled the water in the bag, and it was just a hair over 28 ppt, at 76F this calculates out 1.0211 SG I double checked using a floating needle Hydrometer, my lab meter hadn’t been calculated in a while, and it agreed with the meter. Yes, I know this check is backwards. I rechecked the temperature also, must which was taken and entered in Celsius. I did a 2 hour 45 minute slow drip, acclimation.

Yeah that's low. Some shops do it to save on salt, some to help ward off disease.

It Irritates me Every time I get a fish in water below 1.023 when they don't Tell you. Anything more than .02 SG jump needs a longer Acclimating time. It's irresponsible of them IMHO.

 

[Rmckoy]

It’s common for lfs to maintain lower salinity to keep Parasites at bay .

 

[exnisstech]

I have one lfs that keeps there fish only tanks at 1.015. Owner says it prevents disease. I quit buying from them unless it's something I just have to have. I have 3 other local stores and their water has always been around 1.025 when tested.

 

[lion king]

Thats not low as some keep fowlr at 1.020. That's actually a reasonable compromise. If you are putting a fish directly into a reef system you will need to acclimate up to tank sg or risk shock and death. It is more common for lfs to run their sg beliw 1.020, I've tested at 1.016 while stores have told me their target is 1.018. I routinely pick up special orders at the lfs still in the bag, and the sg from the distributor is 1.020. That seems to be common with many distributors.

Be aware; a low sg suppresses disease ane parasites. When the sg is raised, the issue rebounds usually with vengenge. So anytime you receive fish in sg below 1.020 be aware and prepared. This is a trick many suppliers use.

 

[kados]

+1 @lion king . I run all my FOWLR at 1.020. My LFSs both around 1.019. Works great for me.

 

[Dave1993]

Yeah that's low. Some shops do it to save on salt, some to help ward off disease.

It Irritates me Every time I get a fish in water below 1.023 when they don't Tell you. Anything more than .02 SG jump needs a longer Acclimating time. It's irresponsible of them IMHO.

not really i get fish at 1.017 and add them straight into 1.024/1.025 never lost a fish

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

not really i get fish at 1.017 and add them straight into 1.024/1.025 never lost a fish

Then you are lucky, and I would venture to say the exception, not the rule. Best practice being a SG jump of more than .02 should have an extension acclimating procedure.

1.017 to 1.024 can and does kill fish.