Clean, pure saltwater is the most important component needed for maintaining healthy jellyfish. When mixing salt water DO NOT USE TAP WATER, natural ocean water or water with added vitamins / minerals. This will immediately void any Arrive Alive Claims!
Jellyfish do well in salinity between 30 – 33 ppt / 1.023 – 1.025 SG and a temperature of 60-78F with ideal temperatures between 65-74F.
What is salinity?
• Salinity is a measure of the amount of dissolved salts (ions) in the water. Salinity is a very important water parameter to monitor. The traditional way to express salinity is in parts per thousand (ppt) or specific gravity (SG). The Moon Jellyfish (Aurelia aurita) we breed in our aquaculture facility thrive at a salinity of 30 ppt (parts per thousand). Normal seawater is about 35 ppt, while freshwater is near 0 ppt.
How do I measure salinity?
• There are many tools you can use to measure salinity, such as a hydrometer, refractometer, or digital refractometer. A hydrometer is included with your Jellyfish Art aquarium kit. It measures salinity in both parts per thousand (ppt) and Specific Gravity (SG).
• IMPORTANT: Always tap off any internal bubbles after filling your hydrometer with salt water. Bubbles on the reading arm can give an inaccurate salinity reading. It is a good idea to periodically test your hydrometer with fresh water. It should read 0. It is also best to rinse with fresh water before and after use to remove any salt buildup. Line up the reading arm with the numbers on the outside of the hydrometer - this is your salinity. What type of fresh water do I use to make the salt water?
• Use Reverse-Osmosis (RO) or Distilled water without added vitamins or minerals.
Where can I purchase my Reverse Osmosis or Distilled water?
• Grocery stores
• Superstores such as Wal-Mart and Pharmacies
• If you are unsure about your source of water, contact us! We are happy to help.
• Read the label! Most labels will tell you how the water is filtered. Why is salinity important?
• Because jellyfish are made up of 95% water, saltwater in their environment should stay constant. Water is constantly moving through the thin cell membranes of jellyfish because of a process called osmosis. Therefore, it is important to stay within the salinity range to avoid shock.
• Exposure to any type of extreme change in salinity rapidly will shock your jellyfish and potentially cause harm. To avoid shock during water changes, the new saltwater should be the same salinity as the current aquarium water. How do I mix my saltwater correctly?
• Use a clean, “aquarium-use” only 1-gallon water jug or 5-gallon bucket as your mixing container to avoid introducing contaminants into your water.
• Fill the container with the proper amount of Reverse Osmosis (RO)/ Distilled water.
• Begin stirring the water before ading salt then sl;owly add the salt while continuing to stir. (Salt can get hot do not touch)
• Allow time for the new saltwater to come to room temperature so as to match the temperature of the tank water. It is best to let this sit overnight in the same room as the aquarium and mixed periodically.
• Measure the salinity of the water with your hydrometer and adjust if it is out of range. Be sure to flick or tap the hydrometer to remove any bubbles from the reader arm as bubbles can give an inaccurate reading. If you are having constant problems with salinity, consider investing in a refractometer a digital salinity checker which are instruments used to measure salinity and tends to be more accurate than a hydrometer.
• It is never a bad idea to have extra mixed saltwater on hand. Once mixed, it can be stored as long as needed in a 5 gallon bucket with a lid.