View Full Version : Correct temp and salinity for a FOWLR
Ok, I have been running a reef for a while now but I'm closing it down and opening a new tank but running it as FOWLR tank. Now my reef ran at 25.3 - 26 degrees and 1.025 salinity.
What is the best temp and salinity to run a FOWLR tank at?
Amphiprion
05-26-2008, 7:02 PM
Temps ranging from about 24-27 degrees and a salinity from 1.023-1.027. Anywhere in those ranges is fine. Just make sure that they don't fluctuate significantly.
I was told by my LFS (that only deal in marine) to keep it at 1.018 as thats what they keep there fish tanks at in order to deter disease and parasites
SpockthePuffer
05-26-2008, 8:08 PM
I keep mine at 1.021, there isn't any reason to keep it higher if its just fowlr
LFS will keep their SG lower to save on salt, I don't know about helping with disease prevention.
What about temp? Should that be slightly higher than a reef again to help against disease prevention?
Amphiprion
05-27-2008, 6:44 AM
Actually, salinities kept at levels of 1.018 don't deter any diseases--it may actually promote more resistant strains of diseases, making them more difficult to treat via hyposalinity, necessitating the use of copper and the like. The only thing a level of 1.018 would do is *very slightly* reduce the amount of energy expended in osmoregulation. It is only when you approach levels of 1.010-1.009 that you start seeing disease prevention/treatment and serious declines in osmoregulatory energy expenditure.
Temperatures are a touchy subject--each species seems to have a "preference." Many clownfish species are usually found in 80ish degree water, due to the incidence of anemones. Hawaiian yellow tangs, for example, were found to prefer temps of around 74 degrees, but only at night. That is why I gave you that range, because anything within that is fine. For a simple fish only, I'd shoot for 77-78 degrees. You have higher oxygen levels with slightly cooler temps, and with a higher fish load, that helps.