ConductScienceConductScience
ToolsConductScience tool
ZebrafishFree in-browser calculator

Conductivity & Dosing Runtime Planner.

Plan conductivity adjustments for aquatic systems. Calculate salt stock dosing volume, pump runtime, and stepwise dosing schedule with unit conversion (µS/cm, mS/cm, ppt).

Run calculator Request a Quote
PrivateData stays in your browser
LiveNo sign-up required
Validated2026-04-06
CitableMethods and citation included

Calculator

Results update in place

Try it out

Load example Conductivity Dosing data to see the full workflow

Configuration

Default: 10,000 mg/L (10 g/L NaCl stock)

Use facility calibration factor

When to use

  • Planning salt stock additions to raise system conductivity after water changes
  • Calculating pump runtime for automated dosing systems
  • Creating stepwise dosing schedules for gradual conductivity adjustment
  • Converting between conductivity units (µS/cm, mS/cm, ppt) for different meters

Do not use for

  • For decreasing conductivity — use partial water changes with RO/DI water instead
  • As a substitute for direct conductivity measurement — always verify with a calibrated meter
  • For marine or brackish systems — this tool is calibrated for freshwater zebrafish ranges

Always re-measure after each dosing step

Calculated volumes are estimates based on ideal mixing. Real systems have dead zones, biofilter uptake, and variable mixing times. The stepwise plan includes re-measurement pauses specifically to catch deviations before overshooting.

Calibrate your conductivity meter regularly

Conductivity probes drift over time, especially in recirculating systems with biofilm buildup. Calibrate with a certified standard (e.g., 1413 µS/cm KCl) at least monthly. A 10% meter error translates directly to a 10% dosing error.

Use a facility-specific calibration factor

The default NaCl estimate (2 µS/cm per mg/L) is approximate. Your actual system response depends on water chemistry, temperature, and salt blend. Perform a single calibration run — add a known volume of stock, measure the conductivity change, and calculate your factor.

Account for evaporation top-off

Evaporation removes water but leaves salts behind, concentrating conductivity. If your system uses automatic RO top-off, conductivity stays stable. If top-off is manual or uses tap water, conductivity will drift unpredictably.

1

Method

Conductivity delta is converted to mg/L NaCl equivalent using a default factor of 2 µS/cm per mg/L (or user-provided calibration factor). Required stock volume is computed from mass balance: V_stock = (mg/L_needed ×\times V_system) / C_stock ×\times 1000. Pump runtime = stock volume / pump rate. Stepwise plan divides total into 3–5 increments with 5-minute mixing pauses.

2

Validated

Last validated 2026-04-06. Calculations are designed for planning and documentation support; verify procurement decisions against manufacturer specifications or institutional SOPs.

3

How to cite

How to Cite

ConductScience Conductivity & Dosing Runtime Planner (v1.0). ConductScience, Inc. 2026. Available at: https://conductscience.com/tools/conductivity-dosing-planner

Lawrence C. The husbandry of zebrafish (Danio rerio): A review. Aquaculture. 2007;269(1-4):1–20.

Westerfield M. The Zebrafish Book, 5th Ed. University of Oregon Press. 2007.

Conductivity and Salinity in Zebrafish Systems

Conductivity is the standard measure of dissolved ion content in recirculating aquatic systems. For zebrafish (*Danio rerio*), which are freshwater teleosts, maintaining appropriate ionic strength is essential for osmoregulation, gill health, and reproductive success.

Key ranges (µS/cm): - <200: Ion-poor — osmotic stress, poor egg quality - 300–500: Acceptable low range - 500–800: Optimal for most facilities (target ~700 µS/cm) - 800–1500: Acceptable high range - >1500: Risk of gill irritation and impaired development

Most facilities use a blend of salts (NaCl, CaCl₂, MgSO₄, NaHCO₃) or commercial preparations (e.g., Instant Ocean at 0.3–0.5 g/L) to achieve target conductivity while also providing appropriate hardness and buffering.

Dosing Best Practices

Adjusting conductivity should be done gradually to avoid osmotic shock:

Stepwise dosing protocol: 1. Measure current conductivity with a calibrated meter 2. Calculate the total stock volume needed (this calculator does this) 3. Divide into 3–5 increments 4. Add each increment, wait 5 minutes for mixing, then re-measure 5. Stop when target is reached — do not rely solely on calculated volumes
Common pitfalls: - Adding stock directly to the sump without mixing — creates local hot spots - Not accounting for biofilter salt consumption (bacteria consume some ions) - Using table salt with iodine or anti-caking agents — use aquarium-grade or reagent-grade NaCl - Assuming conductivity is stable — it drifts due to evaporation (increases) and water changes (decreases)

Frequently asked

325
Free tools
1,200+
Institutions
100%
Client-side
0
Uploads required

Next steps

Equipment

Zebrafish Housing Systems

Recirculating rack systems with integrated filtration, UV sterilization, and conductivity monitoring

Browse Equipment

Conductivity Meters

Handheld and inline conductivity meters for aquatic facility monitoring

Browse Quote

Need help?

Get a quote on equipment or talk to the ConductScience team.

Request quote