question for the govenor (R.H. Farley)

Michael · 05/29/2008, 11:54 AM

hi again Mr Farley, i have posted a question on reef discussion, but feel the guys are unsure, im wondering what your valued views are on the maximum sg/ salinity that our reefs should be subjected to, i am not 100% sure but i think i have read somewhere that 1.028 is ok but above this is stressful for our livestock, what do you think, thankyou for taking the time to read this question

Randy Holmes-Farley · 05/29/2008, 12:02 PM

I do not know the exact answer, but I'm sure it varies from organism to organism. The Red Sea has much higher salinity than the ocean. Different references give different values, but it likely ranges from 36-41 ppt (sg = 1.027 - 1.031), and it has plenty of thriving reef organisms. Would all reef organisms live there? Probably not all. Do all of those that do live there suffer more stress than the same organism living at 35 ppt (sg = 1.0264)? I don't know.

I wouldn't worry much about sg up to the 1.028 that you mention. Higher may also be OK. How organisms get to the higher salinity (very slowly vs quickly) and what other stresses they have to survive may impact the outcomes at higher salinity.

Michael · 05/29/2008, 12:16 PM

thank you very much, i searched the web first and found nothing and thought this particular question i needed answered would be a difficult 1 to answer, i understand what you are saying and again thank you for taking the time to read the question and try to help me

dv0920 · 05/29/2008, 12:29 PM

I'm at 1.026 pushing 1.027 with no ill effects except a nice ph of 8.37

cheers
D

Randy Holmes-Farley · 05/29/2008, 02:26 PM

thank you very much

You're welcome.

Happy Reefing.

2thdeekay · 05/29/2008, 11:22 PM

I have an M. Digitata that seems to prefer SG of 1.029-1.030 (that's as high as I've gone.) I had a refractometer calibration problem--a bad standard...

I've since made a new NaCl standard. Now, at 1.026, that digitata doesn't seem to be happy, till I raised it back to 1.029. Anecdotal, yes. But I'm surprised. Wish I knew where this coral originally came from.

Reefing is happiness.

05/29/2008, 11:54 AM	#1
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,807 Blog Entries: 6	question for the govenor (R.H. Farley) hi again Mr Farley, i have posted a question on reef discussion, but feel the guys are unsure, im wondering what your valued views are on the maximum sg/ salinity that our reefs should be subjected to, i am not 100% sure but i think i have read somewhere that 1.028 is ok but above this is stressful for our livestock, what do you think, thankyou for taking the time to read this question __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

05/29/2008, 12:02 PM	#2
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 81,937	I do not know the exact answer, but I'm sure it varies from organism to organism. The Red Sea has much higher salinity than the ocean. Different references give different values, but it likely ranges from 36-41 ppt (sg = 1.027 - 1.031), and it has plenty of thriving reef organisms. Would all reef organisms live there? Probably not all. Do all of those that do live there suffer more stress than the same organism living at 35 ppt (sg = 1.0264)? I don't know. I wouldn't worry much about sg up to the 1.028 that you mention. Higher may also be OK. How organisms get to the higher salinity (very slowly vs quickly) and what other stresses they have to survive may impact the outcomes at higher salinity. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Club 65535 Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

05/29/2008, 12:16 PM	#3
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,807 Blog Entries: 6	thank you very much, i searched the web first and found nothing and thought this particular question i needed answered would be a difficult 1 to answer, i understand what you are saying and again thank you for taking the time to read the question and try to help me __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

05/29/2008, 12:29 PM	#4
dv0920 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 204	I'm at 1.026 pushing 1.027 with no ill effects except a nice ph of 8.37 cheers D __________________ "when your wife understand that if the acropora colonies thrive the sex is much much better." Martin_gruin

05/29/2008, 02:26 PM	#5
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 81,937	thank you very much You're welcome. Happy Reefing. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Club 65535 Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

05/29/2008, 11:22 PM	#6
2thdeekay Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 664	I have an M. Digitata that seems to prefer SG of 1.029-1.030 (that's as high as I've gone.) I had a refractometer calibration problem--a bad standard... I've since made a new NaCl standard. Now, at 1.026, that digitata doesn't seem to be happy, till I raised it back to 1.029. Anecdotal, yes. But I'm surprised. Wish I knew where this coral originally came from. Reefing is happiness.