Salt

[FooFeeMeo]

I know fish need aquarium salt to 'keep the slickness, and fight off disease', but do they really need it? I want a snail, but if I have to put salt in then I cant have one. So do fish really need salt?

 

[WILDER]

No, I only use it when I have to when they are sick.

 

[gale]

I only put salt in my betta's tank. I have cories and snails in the others so I don't want to put any salt in them. I think I read that tetras prefer no salt as well.

 

[skye4jc]

foofee,
depends where you live. in the uk they use groundwater that already has a small salt and mineral content. whereas you and me, foofee, we in north america use rainwater, so its completely devoid of minerals and salt. adding a little wont hurt, but the main reason, as has been stated, is for use with sick fish (pirmarily, or for prevention too, so ive heard). but for us Nor Am's, a 1/2 tablespoon of salt for 10 gallons of water would be just about right. for sick fishies when you have other "no salt" animals like catfish or snails, doubling that dosage is just perfect... when theyre better you can then decrease it again!

hope that clarifies it a bit for ya!