to salt or not to salt ...

[xbit]

Does anyone have an opinion on adding aquarium salt to a freshwater
setup? I’ve had a few professionals tell me that it’s a good idea. From
what they say it will decrees the chances of many freshwater diseases of
getting the chance to propagate. If so, how much? 1 tablespoon per
5(10?) gal?

thanks :) xbit

[xbit]

http://www.bestfish.com/fwsalt.html

as soon as i posted this I found the above URL. but I would still be
thankful for your thoughts.

> xbit wrote:
> Does anyone have an opinion on adding aquarium salt to a freshwater
> setup? I’ve had a few professionals tell me that it’s a good idea. From
> what they say it will decrees the chances of many freshwater diseases of
> getting the chance to propagate. If so, how much? 1 tablespoon per
> 5(10?) gal?
>
> thanks :) xbit

[Elaine T]

xbit wrote:
> http://www.bestfish.com/fwsalt.html
>
> as soon as i posted this I found the above URL. but I would still be
> thankful for your thoughts.
>
> > xbit wrote:
>
>> Does anyone have an opinion on adding aquarium salt to a freshwater
>> setup? I’ve had a few professionals tell me that it’s a good idea.
>> From what they say it will decrees the chances of many freshwater
>> diseases of getting the chance to propagate. If so, how much? 1
>> tablespoon per 5(10?) gal?
>>
>> thanks :) xbit
>
>
What kinds of fish and are there plants?

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

[Miss_Morg]

I have found salting tanks is a good way to prevent ich. It is absolutely essential for fish like mollies, guppies, gobies, etc. However, salt can damage certain species. If there is too much salt, fish may develop blisters and it may weaken their immune systems. And, in most soft-water tanks, salt can be damaging.

I have heard, from many sources for many years, that adding 'Aquarium Salt' helps with disease prevention. There are also articles against it, saying it can cause more harm than good. If you choose to use it, you can buy Kosher salt; it works just the same as aquarium salt. It is important never to use iodized salt in a fish tank. Try to get salt w/o any additives.

In ponds, it is a good idea to give salt baths to goldfish and koi anually. A little salt while doing a yearly checkup will usually kill most external parasites, like ich and leaches. However, if your pond has ionizers/UV sterilizers or other forms of purification, you do not need to do this.

The most important thing is to find what kind of environment you species hail from. The environment they come from is the one you should emulate. A good place to go to find out is fishbase.org. They have articles and almost every known species of fish.

Good luck and happy fishkeeping!
Morg

[Daniel Morrow]

Bottom posted.


"xbit" <" "> wrote in message ...
> http://www.bestfish.com/fwsalt.html
>
> as soon as i posted this I found the above URL. but I would still be
> thankful for your thoughts.
>
> > xbit wrote:
> > Does anyone have an opinion on adding aquarium salt to a freshwater
> > setup? I’ve had a few professionals tell me that it’s a good idea. From
> > what they say it will decrees the chances of many freshwater diseases of
> > getting the chance to propagate. If so, how much? 1 tablespoon per
> > 5(10?) gal?
> >
> > thanks :) xbit
>

I add 1 teaspoon per 5 gallons of water for my fancy guppies and keep up the
concentration so that the guppies remain healthy as recommended by elaine
here in this very newsgroup. I must say - it makes a tremendous difference!
No more mysterious deaths, no more time spent at the surface, the salt helps
tremendously and this concentration won't hinder plants. The biological
filter works just like normal as well. I must say - a little bit of salt
goes a long way and I would recommend it from my experience. Make sure you
use aquarium or pickling salt (or at least some kind of pure salt without
anti-caking ingredients which are probably toxic). Good luck and continue
with your research!

[violinmaker]

A certain amount of salt is good for most fishes. However, do bear in mind that there are some that are quite intolerable towards salt, the catfish family is a good example, like the redtail cat, tiger shovelnose etc. where salt can actually kill them.

[IDzine01]

I have heard that the amount of salt actually needed to harm the ich
parasites is actually too high for most fish to tolerate. I haven't
experimented so I couldn't say.

I don't use salt, however, in any of my tanks. They all do fine without
it so I don't bother. It's just one more complication.

[xbit]

xbit wrote:
> Does anyone have an opinion on adding aquarium salt to a freshwater
> setup? I’ve had a few professionals tell me that it’s a good idea. From
> what they say it will decrees the chances of many freshwater diseases of
> getting the chance to propagate. If so, how much? 1 tablespoon per
> 5(10?) gal?
>
> thanks :) xbit

thank you everyone!

now, when I eat my fish.. should I salt? :) j/k.