As I go along I learn new things everyday. I have been keeping my observed salinity at 1.025 which I thought was perfect. Reading through a new book fresh out of the library teaches me that temperature can be a factor. If what I am reading is true, when I keep my salinity at 1.025 but my temperature is set at 80F, my true salinity is 1.028??? If this is true, no wonder my peppermint shrimp dropped dead on me. Also if this is true, to reach true salinity of 1.025 when my temp is at 80F, I should actually get an observed salinity of 1.022? Please help me with this pontification. And if I need to lower my salinity fast, any recommendations on doing so?
Temperature v. Salinity
- Thread starter jgaepi
- Start date
What device are you using to measure? In my experience, most hydrometers you find made for aquarium use are calibrated to read true s.g. @ 75F. At 80F, it shouldn't be too far off. As far as lowering salinity, I'd SLOWLY replace tank water with fresh water (preferably R.O water) at 1-2 gallons at a time, depending on tank size. They key here is slowly.
SF
SF
Note that you are not reading salinity directly but Specific Gravity, or how dense your saltwater is compared to pure water. This difference in density (causing a difference in 'floatinesss') is controlled by salinity and temperature. Salinity is usually expressed as ppm dissolved salt