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Salt for Freshwater?????

4K views 18 replies 9 participants last post by  1077 
#1 ·
So I read I should use some aquarium salt for my freshwater aquarium to help aid my fish with electrolytes.
I happened to pick up some API Aquarium Salt (cause it was cheap) anyhow, I'm reading that it calls for 1 tablespoon for every 5 gallons.....:shock:
That just seems like alot, is it really safe to add this, should I add it?

Thanks!
 
#2 ·
I used some of that same stuff when my tank was re-cycling (cause I screwed up and cleaned my filter with tap water) and I had high nitrites but it's hard to tell if it actually did any good. From my research lots of people swear by it but just as many people say it doesn't do any good and could do harm. I think it works to treat some diseases (like ich) and nitrite spikes so I keep some on hand just in case. But if you have scaleless fish it's probably not a very good idea cause they can't tolerate much.
 
#4 ·
i use to use it in my tanks until I read somewhere that it can harm the fish's gill and eventually restrict their breathing. I've also heard that it does help with ich and is like "gatorade for fish"

so, stevef10 has got it right. I've heard the same thing......just depends who you talk to
 
#7 ·
A fish breeder told me that its good to shock your tank , to add 1 tbs/gal on week one then none for water changes 2 and 3 then half the removed amount on change 4 and 5 then back to week one with a large amount.I CAN do the math however thats alot of salt and it does'nt seem safe to me. He said the whole poimt was not to accustom your fish to high salt so that it remains effective in preventing disease and keeps fish producing a healthy slome coat. Note; i know salt has a negative effect on males fertility.Please dont rely on this recipe i am not 100% certainof it.
 
#8 ·
Some fish just plain don't like salt in their water. Cardinals, cories, more.
 
#9 ·
It is advantageous to have some salt. I'll see if I can find the article on Osmoregulation or if possible check out Jan issue of FAMA Magazine which had very good/important articles as to why you need to add some salt in F/W.
Personally always used salt on most of F/W fish, even scaleless or fine scaled Clown loach, silver $, etc without any mishap. Actually may helped with certain bacterial/fungal/parasitic infection when used properly.
 
#11 · (Edited)
Try www2.hawaii.edu/~delbeek/delb11.html. Read the whole article and pay close attention to paragraph on F/W Fish. Probably one in FAMA is in more plain English.
Hope memebrs can utilize the info.
If link dont work try google for OSMOREGULATION and click on Osmoregulation in Fish by Charles Delbeek: Give me a Drink!
 
#12 ·
It is said that Salt reduces the toxicity of nitrites and nitrates which is why I believe you often see small containers or tubs of salt in tanks that are heavily stocked like the large chain stores where nitrites and nitrates would most likely be a problem.
Some claim that mollies and other live bearers need it but many,(myself included),, have kept these fish and their babies and their babies ,babies without the use of it.
It is also used for temporary treatment of some parasitic problems with some success but treatment period should in my view, be short and by no means something regularly added to a freshwater tank.
There is a reason they are called freshwater fish.
I have always been troubled by the little cups of salt found in nearly all of the tanks at places like petco ,walmart, and others , with little or no regard for the particular fish in those tanks who may or may not be intloerant of salt.Regular small water changes will prevent nitrite poisoning and elevated ammonia and or nitrates and will provide the essential minerals that fish need. IF you are performing proper tank maint,, Then the regular use of salt for MOST freshwater tanks is pointless and in some fish,, toxic.
 
#13 ·
Not if you read the article on FAMA or Article by Clrles Delbeek. This is of course with proper use.
In another words, Kidney has to work harder to keep the proper amt of salt in the body . Such process burdens the kidney and have to use more enrgy to do so, energy which can be used for other functions such as immune sytem, maintaining vivid colors, etc. Thus by having some salt in water, it can replace ones that are normally lost from their excretion (renal function). Of course, different fish wil require different amt of salt in water. Use your judgement. Discus tank with lot less, if any, and more salt w/ livebearers. Genarally by using amt specified by Aq Salt Mfgr for most F/W fish have not caused any drawbacks as many seems to believe.
 
#14 ·
In the march issue of FAMA there is an article on the use of salt to treat freshwater fish.The article states.."Higher concentrations of salt can be used to treat freshwater fishes,but the treatment periods should be short to avoid causing problems for the fishes." This would indicate to me that regular use of salt which does not dissipate or evaporate in the aquarium ..over time,, would be of no benefit other than the prescribed dose for temporary treatment for parasites such as ICH. In any event,, I shall rely on water changes to supply necessary salts,or minerals. Others should as mentioned,, utilize the information out there, and make their own choice. My path,,, is clear to me.;-) Lee.
 
#15 ·
It is one's perogative to add salt or not. All I am trying to do here is to find the facts/articles for others to be informed thus can make better/right decision for thier fish.
One thing I learned from hobby or life in general, is that there are always new things that I learned/will learn when kept my mind opened which have benefitted my fish or me when such new info are utilized properly.
Of course, I am not telling you or anyone to do or not, just wanted to bring up little fact about thier renal function so maybe someone's fish can benefit.
As far as article on March issue, although i have not p/u one yet, is probably in higher concentration to be used as treatment for certain deseases which by the way I would never expose the f/w fish for prolonged time. .
That is all. Carry on!!
Cerianthus.
 
#16 ·
In all fairness, the article I was referring to Was indeed describing the medicinal benefit of short salt dip for treatment . And therein lies the point that I perhaps poorly,, was attempting to make.
Regular use of salt such as with each weekly water change as some folks do,, Is the equivalent of an extended salt dip which in my view,, would do more harm than good. I would not dispute the benefits of short term use for medicinal purposes, but feel that those who advocate the regular use of salt in freshwater tanks should also mention that if the salt content is not diluted at some point by water changes using water with no salt,, that eventually the fish will become stressed and Illness or death I would think,, would not be uncommon. I am primarily referring to those who add a little salt with each water change in the belief that it is helping their fish.The fish may indeed use some of the salt but as stated,, without diluting the water at some point.. the fish will begin to suffer. That that goes in,, must come out somehow.
 
#17 ·
I have two mollies and one of them used to adore the cup of salt I had in there. After it disolved I took the cup out. I don't plan on adding any more for a very long time.

Here he is enjoying a dip while he tries to pinch a loaf. He would go in there regularly and thrash his fins around stirring it up.

I would think that if it were bad for him, he wouldn't have been doing that.


Either way, I don't think it was good for my Chameleon plant (Houttuynia cordata) so if I ever decide to add any more salt, it would be in a very small quantity a long time from now. The fish are doing okay without it -- granted I have only had them for a little over a month.
 
#18 ·
Believe or not we old timers? used to use Mollys to cycle s/w tank when S/w were hard to come by and pretty expensive. this was well before LR was avail.
I even kept molys in S/w tank w/ Ribbon Eels so that frys of Molly caan/did entice Re to eat in captivity. no different from using feeder guppies.

Ad far as salt concentration getting high in tank, all you have to do is relenish what one removed w/ water changes. For example, if one start off 1 level table for every five gallon, just add back proportionate amt you removed. Then it will probably stay constant.
 
#19 ·
Mollys do well in alkaline water along with guppies and do poorly in water with Ph values below 7.4 They would be one of the few freshwater fish that thrive in slightly brackish water.IMHO
 
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