Stupid questions re salt dip

[ginger]

I don't like treating non-existant problems. When I get a new fish, it
goes into a quarantine tank with an airstone and no filter. I use
frequent water changes.

After a few days, the signs of a parasite will be evident in the water
(an active filter would just suck it out). Any other health problems
will also be seen soon enough.

About the salt. NEVER USE IODIZED SALT. Please make sure that it is
pure salt, Kosher salt or pure rock salt works well.

I always put ~1TBL salt / 10 gal in the water when I do a change. The
very slight salinity seems to agree with them.

[Curious George]

On 19 Dec 2005 08:09:12 -0800, "ginger" > wrote:

>I don't like treating non-existant problems. When I get a new fish, it
>goes into a quarantine tank with an airstone and no filter. I use
>frequent water changes.

>After a few days, the signs of a parasite will be evident in the water
>(an active filter would just suck it out). Any other health problems
>will also be seen soon enough.

Thanks that makes sense

>About the salt. NEVER USE IODIZED SALT. Please make sure that it is
>pure salt, Kosher salt or pure rock salt works well.
>
>I always put ~1TBL salt / 10 gal in the water when I do a change. The
>very slight salinity seems to agree with them.

It's OK to do this indefinitely?

I'm totally inexperienced here but I've had a little one on ~2 TBL/10
gal for about 6-8 weeks. I thought it was too long so I gradually
reduced the salinity (now half that) and moved to a bigger tank. I
think I see an improvement (healthy fish to start with though) over
the last week. Don't know if that means salt is less than optimal
over long term or that that specific concentration was less than
optimal or just happiness comes with a larger tank.

[ginger]

I use a very slight amount of salt in the tank (1 TBL/10g) with every
change. I raised 2 comments this way for 15+ years (I would still have
them if the power didn't cut out while I was away to a few days). The
larger one was almost 3 1/2 inches in body with a tail almost as long.

A long time a go someone told me that it helps to promote slime coating
on the fish (this is a good thing). It's cheap and easy. Just be
careful not to over salt the water and NEVER use iodized salt. Iodine
is a poison to the fish.

[Curious George]

On 20 Dec 2005 06:22:04 -0800, "ginger" > wrote:

>I use a very slight amount of salt in the tank (1 TBL/10g) with every
>change. I raised 2 comments this way for 15+ years (I would still have
>them if the power didn't cut out while I was away to a few days). The
>larger one was almost 3 1/2 inches in body with a tail almost as long.

That's a great track record. I'd be very happy to have the same fish
15+ years from now.

>A long time a go someone told me that it helps to promote slime coating
>on the fish (this is a good thing). It's cheap and easy. Just be
>careful not to over salt the water and NEVER use iodized salt. Iodine
>is a poison to the fish.

No I'd never use table salt. Right now only Aquarium Salt and careful
to avoid salt creep or otherwise overdue it. Thanks for the food for
thought.