Aquarium Salt Question
- Thread starter jossswonk
- Start date
The salt level needs to remain constant. Only add more when you do a water change - add more salt for the amount of new water, the same dose rate as when you added salt to the tank. This keeps the salt level constant.
When using it as a disease treatment it should be left in for 2 to 4 weeks, then removed by doing water changes without adding salt to the new water. This slowly removes the salt.
When using it as a disease treatment it should be left in for 2 to 4 weeks, then removed by doing water changes without adding salt to the new water. This slowly removes the salt.
OP
OP
Thank you so much! I work at a place with a lot of aquariums and the salt treatment instructions looked wayyy off. I wanted to make sure there was an issue with it before bringing it up. I will make sure that gets changed ASAP. These were the instructions that were up.
TNG
Fishaholic
Your workplace uses a very high concentration of salt, could be the reason why it’s added over 3 days (not to shock the fish too much) and do water changes removed salt the following days. This sounds more like a salt bath.
I think most members here use no more than 1 to 2 tablespoons of salt per 5 gallons of water.
Your workplace’s instruction isn’t clear either, although it seems to say that if the tank is 10 Gal, on day 1 use 3.3 tablespoons of salt, on day 2 add another 1.7 tbsp, and another 5 tbsp on day 3. Total salt on day 3 is 10 tbsp in 10 gal of water !
Day 3, 4 and 5 do 25% water change to remove salt.
I think most members here use no more than 1 to 2 tablespoons of salt per 5 gallons of water.
Your workplace’s instruction isn’t clear either, although it seems to say that if the tank is 10 Gal, on day 1 use 3.3 tablespoons of salt, on day 2 add another 1.7 tbsp, and another 5 tbsp on day 3. Total salt on day 3 is 10 tbsp in 10 gal of water !
Day 3, 4 and 5 do 25% water change to remove salt.
I'm with @TNG on that. It's a slow build up for a purpose. I don't know what the purpose is.
In the old days (when I started fishkeeping) salt was added as a matter of course to mitigate the effect of no water changes. It was believed that water changes were bad for fish, and that filthy 'old water' had almost magical properties. We've learned a whole lot since then, but some people still cling to the old ways and always will in spite of the evidence.
Salt's a harsh chemical in tanks, and what it does depends on the fish you keep, and whether you are treating diseases.
When I had central American and North American livebearers, it was fine as they come from hard water. It wasn't necessary, but if I used it as a med, I didn't have to worry after. Now, with rainforest fish, I keep it away from my tanks unless I really need a treatment (I haven't for years) because while you can dilute it easily, it's hard to get it all out. It isn't my med of choice.
In the old days (when I started fishkeeping) salt was added as a matter of course to mitigate the effect of no water changes. It was believed that water changes were bad for fish, and that filthy 'old water' had almost magical properties. We've learned a whole lot since then, but some people still cling to the old ways and always will in spite of the evidence.
Salt's a harsh chemical in tanks, and what it does depends on the fish you keep, and whether you are treating diseases.
When I had central American and North American livebearers, it was fine as they come from hard water. It wasn't necessary, but if I used it as a med, I didn't have to worry after. Now, with rainforest fish, I keep it away from my tanks unless I really need a treatment (I haven't for years) because while you can dilute it easily, it's hard to get it all out. It isn't my med of choice.
Or use the instructions in post #2 in this thread
www.fishforums.net
The post used litres, 20 litres = 5.3 US gallons.
What to do if your fish gets sick
If your fish ever looks sick or unwell, then the following steps might help. Test the Water and Clean the Tank. Test the water quality for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH and write the results down in numbers. Check it for general hardness (GH) and carbonate hardness (KH) too if you can, but...
www.fishforums.net
The post used litres, 20 litres = 5.3 US gallons.
I have been keeping fish for almost 30 years and have never ever added salt to a fresh water tank. If salt was recommended for a treatment I would remove the fish and salt dip it individually.
Mainly my form of treatment for when fish are sick are frequent large water changes or in the case of ich, increasing the temperature and frequent water changes.
When fish are stressed out or sick adding medication oftentimes makes it worse because they get even more stressed out due to the medication. Now some ailments need instant treatment with meds, but I haven't come across anything like that in a long time with my tanks
Mainly my form of treatment for when fish are sick are frequent large water changes or in the case of ich, increasing the temperature and frequent water changes.
When fish are stressed out or sick adding medication oftentimes makes it worse because they get even more stressed out due to the medication. Now some ailments need instant treatment with meds, but I haven't come across anything like that in a long time with my tanks
Adhering to an unwavering weekly or biweekly water change schedule is good preventative medicine.
That’s a recipe for disaster . Way too much salt . Salt doesn’t go away . It builds up .
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