LFS: Salt in a freswater tank

[comewowme]

Hey all,


I recently just went to this new LFS I found, and a CSR was talking to me about aquarium care, and she said that putting some salt (im guessing sea salt) in a fresh water tank is good for the fish. keeps them healthy, etc. She didnt look like she could take care of herself, so I am curious if she knows how to care for fish?


Thanks in advance for your replies!

 

[wrs]

yes salt is good for the fish, but aquarium salt, not sea salt,

 

[Jen]

It depends. In small doses, salt can be used as a stress releiver. When my fish are ill, i tend to throw in a few tablespoons. It's not good for scale-less fish though

 

[Never2Bknown]

Salt is not particularly good for most bottom feeders, but in moderation, its okay. It is good for regular freshwater fish. 1/4 tsp. per gallon. It relieves stress and can actually help your fish breathe easier. Just don't add too much.

Oh, in the right amounts, it can also be used to cure ich.

 

[csr mel]

i had read about this and being curious, i placed some rock salt into my tank. the salt thatis used in my well as a water softener. it does not have iodine in it and should be the same thing as aquarium salt.
it does not seem to bother the fish, except it seems to be making the sick one more active.

 

[superpenguin22]

i had read about this and being curious, i placed some rock salt into my tank. the salt thatis used in my well as a water softener. it does not have iodine in it and should be the same thing as aquarium salt.
it does not seem to bother the fish, except it seems to be making the sick one more active.

Thats good but its not the same as aquarium salt

 

[csr mel]

why isnt it the same? on the label it says it doesnt contain those things which prevent salt from clumping.

 

[Teelie]

There are many types of salt and not all of them are appropriate for freshwater use. It has to do with how the salt is formed. I'm actually reading a book on the history of salt right now and it's surprising just how many varities and ways there are to aquire it.

 

[kaosaeteurn9581]

I heard the same thing, It could help, at right amounts. I was al so told that it can help bring down nitrates is this true?

 

[CFC]

Salt is for brackish and marine tanks, please do ot add salt to a freshwater aquarium unless it is for medicinal purposes. Many tropical fish have evolved in habbitats totally devoid of any salt content and the addition of salt to their water places stress on the liver and will shorten their lives as well as leaving them more subseptable to disease.