Aquarium salt

[Swartz44]

Is salt a necessity in a freshwater aquarium?

 

[Fishfaced]

Nope

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Not a “necessity” per se, only of a disease if present on the tank. The salt will reduce the change of infection.

 

[P J]

Is salt a necessity in a freshwater aquarium?

Hi Swartz, not for a freshwater aquarium - your fish will eventually suffocate, if in high levels. PJ

 

[lazarusthefishboy10]

Is salt a necessity in a freshwater aquarium?

Hi @Swartz44 ,
Freshwater aquarium salt is great for the fish that like a pH higher than 7.5 (no lower), but if the fish you keep can thrive in a lower pH, then they don't need any type of salt in the tank. You should be able to find aquarium salt for freshwater aquariums at your lfs (Local Fish Store) or online. Hope this helped!
Lazarus

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Hi @Swartz44 ,
Freshwater aquarium salt is great for the fish that like a pH higher than 7.5 (no lower), but if the fish you keep can thrive in a lower pH, then they don't need any type of salt in the tank. You should be able to find aquarium salt for freshwater aquariums at your lfs (Local Fish Store) or online. Hope this helped!
Lazarus

But it should be added constantly to the tank.

If you need to make your water harder, you need to use crushed coral or cuttlebone, not salt.

 

[Essjay]

Salt should not be used routinely in a fresh water tank. It can be used to treat diseases, but for a maximum of 4 weeks only.

The recommendation to use salt is a hangover from decades ago. We now know it causes kidney damage if used routinely.


I agree with Pheonix. Fish which need high pH also need hard water. Hardness is a measurement of calcium and magnesium, while salt is sodium chloride and will do nothing to increase hardness. Crushed coral and cuttlebone contain calcium.

 

[AbbeysDad]

Here's an article on my blog from our friend Byron:

Contact Support

 

[Colin_T]

Common salt, aquarium salt, swimming pool salt is sodium chloride. This stuff is used to treat diseases and is one of the minerals in sea water.

To increase the general hardness (GH) of water, use calcium and magnesium chloride. They are a type of salt (chloride part) but are different to sodium chloride.