What Are the Proper Water Levels for a Saltwater Tank? - Monticello News

Posted: 21 Jul 2020 03:15 PM PDT

Even to beginner aquarium enthusiasts, it�™s no secret that saltwater fish tanks require careful regulation and monitoring in order to thrive. Just as with any other enclosed environment, maintaining the proper chemical levels and ecological conditions keeps marine life alive and looking beautiful. However, for people just starting out in the hobby, knowing what factors are most important in determining the health of a tank can be difficult. These are the proper water levels for a saltwater tank and the necessary environmental features for reef life.

Temperature

A tank�™s temperature doesn�™t have much to do with its chemical concentration, but keeping the warmth of the water consistent is key to overall specimen health. Saltwater reef and fish life are particularly sensitive to temperature fluctuations, and they can go into shock should the temperature get too low or too high. For the most accommodating environment, it�™s recommended that you keep your tank between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit.

Water Flow

Water flow is also important in a reef aquarium for a variety of reasons�"it equally distributes nutrients, reduces the number of toxins in the water, and even prevents specimen bleaching. Because of this, it�™s important that you track how often your pumps circulate the tank water and the amount of pressure they use when doing so. As a standard, your water pumps should turn over the tank�™s volume between 10 and 15 times in a given hour. However, this can vary depending on the type of corals and fish you keep.

pH

The pH measurement is an indicator of how acidic or basic a solution is and how well that solution can support organisms within it. The more acidic or basic a body of water is, the harder it is for that solution to sustain life. In order for an environment to accommodate living organisms, it needs a more balanced pH. The preferred pH of saltwater aquariums typically leans toward the neutral range�"between 8.1 and 8.4.

Gravity or Salinity

The gravity or salinity of a body of water has to do with the amount of salt dissolved in it. In freshwater aquariums, this measurement will be incredibly low, but in saltwater tanks, it needs to be higher to recreate the ocean setting. 1.025 is the most ideal reading for salinity in a home aquarium, but your fish won�™t typically suffer unless it exceeds 1.027.

Ammonia, Nitrite, and Calcium

Managing the proper water levels of a saltwater tank also involves monitoring the secondary substances that can appear in the oceanic environment. Calcium is especially important for helping live rock organisms heal and rebuild themselves after trauma. As such, you should keep calcium levels between 380 and 450 parts per million. Chemicals such as ammonia and nitrite, on the other hand, come from fish waste and can make the water toxic if left unchecked. Part of maintaining this ecosystem is keeping both of these substances at zero.

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