Tropical Fish Keeping banner

Question for a Salted Guppy Tank...

5K views 5 replies 4 participants last post by  k19smith 
#1 ·
Before I begin my post... This question is directed only at people who believe in adding salt to a guppy tank. Respectfully, I would ask anoyone who does not agree with the notion not to reply - for the sake of keeping on topic.


After talking to three of my Local Fish Stores I have come to an understanding that I am aiming for an SG of 1.005 for the guppys. I have also done alot of reading and talked to several people about adding in Marine salt for the health of the guppys... All of the stores think it is a good idea - but only if the marine salt is a fraction of the total salt content (the rest comprised with regular aquarium salt).


So my question is this:


What is the proper ratio of Aquarium Salt vs. Marine Salt per 5 gallons when mixing new water for the tank??? I want a simple formula so when I mix new water it is the proper balance. Preferably in teaspoons.


Two more questions: Which aquarium plants will tolerate a salty environment like the one I describe above? And what other species will absolutely NOT tolerate an environment like this (in the case I need to transfer some other fish from my other tanks into this one)?


My goal is to start breeding guppies... I want an environment that will keep them the healthiest they can be.


Thanks in advance! :)
 
See less See more
#2 ·
Hmmm.... as far as plants from what I have read the choices for the salt range there are: Java fern, Java moss, Val's, and possibly anubius(?)

Fish: mollies (fresh/brackish/marine), rainbow fish( fresh water but does well in lower brackish; there is one species that is truly brackish), orange chromide(Brackish), X-ray tetra(fresh/brackish- may or may not be suitable with guppies), Dragon gobies( brackish/marine-get big but don't eat small fish)
. Hopfully this helped some what.:-D
 
#3 ·
Before I begin my post... This question is directed only at people who believe in adding salt to a guppy tank. Respectfully, I would ask anoyone who does not agree with the notion not to reply - for the sake of keeping on topic.


After talking to three of my Local Fish Stores I have come to an understanding that I am aiming for an SG of 1.005 for the guppys. I have also done alot of reading and talked to several people about adding in Marine salt for the health of the guppys... All of the stores think it is a good idea - but only if the marine salt is a fraction of the total salt content (the rest comprised with regular aquarium salt).


So my question is this:


What is the proper ratio of Aquarium Salt vs. Marine Salt per 5 gallons when mixing new water for the tank??? I want a simple formula so when I mix new water it is the proper balance. Preferably in teaspoons.


Two more questions: Which aquarium plants will tolerate a salty environment like the one I describe above? And what other species will absolutely NOT tolerate an environment like this (in the case I need to transfer some other fish from my other tanks into this one)?


My goal is to start breeding guppies... I want an environment that will keep them the healthiest they can be.


Thanks in advance! :)
I think it's going to be hard to get much advice from hobbyists who will agree that adding salt to a guppy tank is best for them. This is because they are freshwater fish, and freshwater fish do not need added salt. If you were to acclimate them to brackish water, you'd want to use marine salt, not aquarium salt. Aquarium salt is essentially table salt, which unless you are treating illness, offers no benefits for your guppies. Local fish stores often use salt in their tanks in attempt to prevent the spread of ich, velvet, and fungus, which often comes in with their shipments. Most of these shops do not QT their fish before selling them, so they feel keeping salt in the tanks is the best option. As to why they would recommend it to their customers for their livebearers, I have no idea, other than the fact that there is a huge profit margin for them in salt. They get it dirt cheap and put a huge mark up on it. I think taking advice of fish stores above the advice of the online communities to which you've been asking this question is really not the best idea.

For BW adaptable plants check out the list on plantgeek.net.
 
#4 ·
there also seems to be contradicting advice in books as well about salt use with guppies and mollies. my advice is to look at where guppies are found and there natural water conditions, and then take it from there. Too the best of my knowledge though they are found in both fresh and Brackish water.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top