Best specific gravity fo mixed reef?

Hey guys what would be the best sg to maintain in a reef tank? Tank is still cycling, current sg is 1.023 / 24. Im plannin on softies and lps, maybe a pocili or monti too.

 

IMHO, the best sg for any marine aquarium is the same as nsw-- 1.025 - 1.026. I don't know where the idea started, or why anyone would believe, that deviating from your pet's natural environment is "beneficial" when they evolved to thrive in it millions of years ago.

 

+1 on 1.025 - 1.026

 

Kool

 

Will increase to 1.025

 

Exactly- I actually run mine 1.026- 1.027ish.

And, be sure you're actually running what your methos of measuring it says.
Think about it, we're talking about the thousandths place.

Case in point- we had a little clinic/workshop at one of our monthly meetings last year-
it was comparing hydrometers to refractometers- to this special digital tool
http://www.shop.com/Milwaukee Instr..._term=917606395-0&CA_6C15C=120179650002202076

This nifty tool is supposed to be the most accurate.

With my alleged scientific mind- I was questioning how we knew that this digital refractometer was actually any more accurate?
So- I tested my 'calibration fluid' in these digital ones- there were 3 of them there.
** All 3 read my calibration fluid as 1.029- ** it was supposed to be 1.025, or 35ppt!

So now when I use my 'calibration fluid' I set the set screw at 37ppt- for my 'calibrated' calibration fluid!

This is from RHF article
'Recommendations aside, high quality reef aquaria exist with a fairly wide range of salinity. Many highly successful reef aquaria have salinity in the range of 32-36 ppt, or specific gravity in the range of 1.024 to 1.027.'

So it looks like, as long as you're fairly close- you'll be fine.

Taken from:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-12/rhf/

So, what's my point?

My point is, I was using 0tds fluid for my refractometer for over a year.
I bought some 'calibration fluid' and used that for over a year- it apparently was off some.
I even made my own 'claibration fluid' from instructions in a RFH article.

Again- my point it- sometimes it's very difficult to know exactly what you're measuring-
oh, you might think your hydrometer, rtefractometer, and/or calibration fluid is accurate.
But is it?

 

And that's why I use a high-quality floating-glass hydrometer. If it's still good enough for scientific labs, then who am I to argue?

 

Well guys when i was new to hobby, i got that floating glass hydro and even though all my parameters were in check, any fish id add wud die within an hour. This happened for almost a year. After that i bot a refractometer (forgot what site), the reading was 1.032. Its was a shocker, when hydro was showing 1.022. From that time iv stopped using hydros.

 

Yeah, gotta get a good one; the cheapies from Petco aren't any better than the swing-arm types.

http://www.thomassci.com/scientific-supplies/Specific Gravity Hydrometers

 

I agree with Mr. Bill, the good ones like using to calibrate alcohol content on your homebrew beer, etc.
NOthing to calibrate on those kind. Definitely better IMO