Nano Lagoon (10): Temp and Salinity

http://www.ipsf.com We discuss salinity, specific gravity and temperature maintenance in the Nano Lagoon reef aquarium.

Salinity

Salinity and specific gravity are related measures of how "salty" the seawater is. We use a simple plastic hydrometer to measure these levels. Our Instant Ocean Hydrometer cost about $9.00 at Wal-Mart.

We begin by filling the hydrometer with tap water, and using a pencil or stiff wire to carefully knock any air bubbles off the indicator arm. The salinity should read "0" and the specific gravity should read "1.00."

Next, we discard the tap water and fill the hydrometer with seawater from our Nano Lagoon. The salinity should be about 33 ppt (parts per thousand). Specific gravity should be about 1.024 units.

If we are careful to keep the seawater level constant in our Nano Lagoon with daily additions of tap water as needed, the salinity will not vary much and can essentially be ignored. Nevertheless we should check this parameter twice a month with the hydrometer, just to be sure.

If the salinity and specific gravity get too low, it means that the seawater in our Nano Lagoon is not salty enough. In that case we use seawater (instead of tap water) for our daily additions of makeup water, checking each day with the hyrometer until the salinity is back to 33 ppt.

Temperature

We use the digital stick-on thermometer to determine the temperature of the seawater. If you find the thermometer hard to read try briefly shining a flashlight on it.

Ideally the temperature in the tank should be about 75 degrees Farenheit. An acceptable range of temperatures is about 70-80 degrees for the hardy species in your Nano Lagoon reef tank.

We recommend keeping the tank at "room temperature" as long as it is not too hot or cold for prolonged periods. This way we can avoid using an in-tank heater. It's one less thing to buy and worry about.

If the temperature in your house regularly falls below about 68 degrees Farenheit, then a small (25-50 watt) aquarium heater might be necessary.

Please use only captive-bred organisms in your reef aquarium.

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Learn more about healthy reefkeeping at our website: http://www.ipsf.com

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• ipsf.com
• Indo-Pacific Sea Farms
• temperature
• thermometer
• salinity
• specific gravity
• hydrometer
• Gerald
• Heslinga

[saixiong08]

what can you do if the salinity ppt and the specific gravity is too high or too low?

[ipsfdotcom]

@saixiong08 If salinity is too low, top off with seawater until it is correct. If salinity is too high, remove a quart or two of tank water and replace with freshwater, measuring salinity before and after until you get it right. Each of these measures is TEMPORARY. Once salinity is where it should be, top off only with freshwater and salinity will remain constant. Remember, only fresh water is lost through evaporation.

[RocketBackwards]

Great video, thank you. Just to be clear, with a meter that is similar to the one in this video, i should put the water in from the top?

[ipsfdotcom]

Yes, you may add it to the top or just dip the whole thing into the tank if that is easier. Just be certain that there are no air bubbles clinging to the swing arm indicator because they will make the reading appear too high.

[ipsfdotcom]

@lonerayven If salt content in the tank (salinity or specific gravity) is too low, add salt water until it is correct. If salt content is too high, add fresh water until it is correct. In either case only make additions to replace the water lost through evaporation, and always aim to keep the water level even with the top of the digital thermometer.

[lonerayven]

You remove water then add freshwater. Salt doesn't evaporate so you must remove some salt water to remove salt and then add freshwater.

[dayzsrfine]

your video is very helpful, im still having a problem being sure when the salt level is too high. Am i right to assume since when salt levels are too low that you add salt, then since mine is too high..i should add freshwater??

[ipsfdotcom]

Yes, you may add it to the top or just dip the whole thing into the tank if that is easier. Just be certain that there are no air bubbles clinging to the swing arm indicator because they will make the reading appear too high.

[ipsfdotcom]

True, true. We'll do a video on those in the future. For now we're trying to get newbies started with a minimal outlay of cash:)

[riptor3086]

refractometer is better.