Specific Gravity

[MWFoster]

I had a real nice reef tank about 20 years ago and back then I kept my SG 1.022 and I did not loose any corals. Now I am in the process of turning a tank that I eventually want to make into a reef. I keep getting a wide range of what the SG is supposed to be. I currently have my SG at 1.022 plus or minus 0.0005 is this too low? it is right in the middle of all my old meters. If it is low what are some good meters for the new updated reef systems?

 

[AydenLincoln]

1.024-1.026 is best! I aim for 1.026 because it’s the average salinity of the ocean. Hanna salinity meter is a good one so are refractometers/glass hydrometers. Be sure to get calibration solution for a refractometer too. https://a.co/d/gufG6hB

 

[CHIEF_OF_THE_REEF]

The general census is that the 1.024-1.026, however lower is good if you have signs of ick. You will get many replys on what actual number people like it. I myself, like the 1.024

 

[odstar]

I use a Milwaukee, Refractometer and Tropic Marin Hydrometer to check salinity but I always fall back to the Hydrometer for consistency

 

[odstar]

I use a Milwaukee, Refractometer and Tropic Marin Hydrometer to check salinity but I always fall back to the Hydrometer for consistency

 

[gbroadbridge]

I had a real nice reef tank about 20 years ago and back then I kept my SG 1.022 and I did not loose any corals. Now I am in the process of turning a tank that I eventually want to make into a reef. I keep getting a wide range of what the SG is supposed to be. I currently have my SG at 1.022 plus or minus 0.0005 is this too low? it is right in the middle of all my old meters. If it is low what are some good meters for the new updated reef systems?

1.026

 

[odstar]

I use a Milwaukee, Refractometer and Tropic Marin Hydrometer to check salinity but I always fall back to the Hydrometer for consistency

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

There's a wide range of apparently acceptable salinity, but, IMO, here's little evidence that anything is better than natural salinity levels around 35 ppt or sg = 1.0264.