Q About Using Freshwater Aquarium Salt

[fishylover]

I am new to this forum, and was making a list of good algae eaters and cleaners for a larger tank upgrade done a few months ago. From the info here, I had Bristlenose Plecs and cories on the list when I found info that says not to use salt with them, because it burns their skin.
Is this referring to the Freshwater Aquarium Salt that I have been using to provide electrolytes? It was recommended to me by the LFS. I add a tablesppon to 5 gallons, only to new water in a water change. Should I not use it? Are there other fish that this hurts? I thought this was good for all freshwater fish!

 

[andywg]

Aquarium salt is not necessary for freshwater fish. The salt will only burn if the salt is not dissolved before putting it in.

The problem with salt is that it will affect the osmoregulatory system of the fish as it is having to deal with the salt which it is not evolved to do so.

The use of salt is from the olden days when people thought old water was brilliant. To prevent nitrates and nitrites from being so effective the salt is used to lessen the effects of nitrite poisoning. It is also bad science where people have seen that FW fish maintain a higher salt balance in their bodies than the surrounding water, so hypothesised that by putting salt in the water it helps the osmoregulatory functions, completely forgetting that the fish have spent millions of years evolving to live in freshwater that has almost no salt content.

Does your lfs explain what the "electrolytes" are that are being added to the water and why they are needed?

 

[Maximumbob]

salt for freshwater aquariums.. hmmm.. I only would use it in the case of a freaky nitrite spike. Mine has sat in the cupboard for a long time untouched.

 

[chilledtim]

what about in a hospital tank too treat a skin disease

 

[fishylover]

Aquarium salt is not necessary for freshwater fish. The salt will only burn if the salt is not dissolved before putting it in.

The problem with salt is that it will affect the osmoregulatory system of the fish as it is having to deal with the salt which it is not evolved to do so.

The use of salt is from the olden days when people thought old water was brilliant. To prevent nitrates and nitrites from being so effective the salt is used to lessen the effects of nitrite poisoning. It is also bad science where people have seen that FW fish maintain a higher salt balance in their bodies than the surrounding water, so hypothesised that by putting salt in the water it helps the osmoregulatory functions, completely forgetting that the fish have spent millions of years evolving to live in freshwater that has almost no salt content.

Does your lfs explain what the "electrolytes" are that are being added to the water and why they are needed?

No further explanation was given...and I didn't ask since I did not know what to ask. I trusted them to know
Is it enough to stop using it or do I need to do something else?

 

[dwarfgourami]

If you stop using it during water changes it will gradually be diluted and disappear, that's all you need to do. A weekly water change is the best way to keep fish healthy.

 

[fishylover]

If you stop using it during water changes it will gradually be diluted and disappear, that's all you need to do. A weekly water change is the best way to keep fish healthy.

Thanks a bunch! I stopped using it as soon as I found out that the advice may have been incorrect, so for the last 2 wc, I have not added it, so the dilution has begun!

 

[yvez9]

I find most advise from pet stores is inaccurate
they just want to sell more stuff to the customers with lame reasons...

Most additives, except dechlorinator are useless (prime, bacteria in a bottle, pH buffers)

In fact, i only use dechlorinator in my tanks

I use melafix if i see fungus on some fish, and then again, i use half the dosage.

 

[Araxen]

The only time I use aquarium salt is to treat for Ich.