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I was hoping to get some opinions (good or bad) on "my" method of keeping saltwater fish. Keep in mind that this is a FOWLR tank and I would never recommend it for a reef system.
I keep my salinity a bit low at 1.019-1.020 and my temperature a bit high at about 78 degrees. The reason that I do this is to ward off disease. Since "most" marine diseases will die off in warmer temps and lower salinity.
So far, I have found no adverse effects on my fish. I say that with the knowledge that I have only been practicing this method for about 9 months now. I just have to take a VERY long time in acclimating new fish.
The only fish that has died was a sebae clown that was attacked by another inhabitant.

Leah

Rather interesting. High temperature is fine, just be careful not to add any cold water SW species. Lower salinity is a rather newer concept that I have began reading on. I would be interesting in the progress of this aquarium.

I'll be sure to remember the cold water aspect. I generally keep fish from Tropical regions. I'm happy that you pointed that out, though. Definetly a thing to consider when trying this.

Leah

Umm 78 is not High. It is normal for Marine.

Yea, 78 isn't high at all. I keep my tank at 79, a lot of people keep it even higher than that.

The lower salinity is more likely to hurt your live rock than anything else. Most things on LR including the critters will need a higher salinity.

Right mikey. Most crusteaceans prefer a specific gravity of at least 1.022. You shouldn't ever let your SG go below 1.018.

I also run my tank from 79-81*F.

Also, with the salinity that low, you may end up with base rock pretty soon if nearly everything hasn't died already. At least bump the salinity up over the next several days. If you don't, you almost surely lose anything in the rock that would have been beneficial.

I've been practicing this method for 9 months and my live rock is fine and flourishing with lots of coralline algae. And as for critters, my tank has plenty of them. Seems there's something newly discovered in there every day.

Leah