simple advise

[Pointy_kitty]

i have never used salt in my tanks due to the fact thats i have many cory
but i have recently read a post stating that you CAN in fact use salt with cories,

that leaves me with 3 questions,

- if i have never used salt for 2 years in one of my tanks is it at all dangerous to add it?

- will the salt bother my flying fox? i'm not quite sure about that guy

- just how benefitial would it be to add salt, or would you say that it does not infact matter, and is only a matter of preference?

 

[dixaisy930]

No, it wouldn't be dangerous to add it, although I would do it slowing (a little every few days, until you have the right amount)

I know some people swear by it, and others have never used it and haven't had any problems. I've only used a very tiny bit of salt with my bettas to prevent fungus.

If you haven't had any problems with your tanks so far, you probably don't need to start.

 

[Opcn]

Very tricky topic some cories get burnt some don't (apperently) ask Inchworm. Inch is one of the best moderators on the forums (heck they are all great aren't they) just be forwarned that there are alot of bad memories about this subject (Its what pushed SMB away from the other mods and made him do something stupid)

Opcn

 

[CFC]

The damage caused by salt often wont damage a fish instantly but with fish like corys that come from a habitat which has very little or no measurable salt content it will slowly be causing damage to the fishes liver and kidney functions. This doesn't show any externally visual signs and the fish keeper doesn't know anything is wrong untill the fish dies of mysterious circumstances.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Pointy_kitty

I agree with CFC on that point. Corys should not have salt in their water.

If you are thinking about using it as a preventative measure, remember that the best way to keep a healthy tank is to do regular cleaning and water changes and do not overstock it with fish.

Besides, there is merit to that old saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"


_____
Hi opcn

Thanks for the complement. ) You sure know how to make a mod feel good!

 

[Morrgan]

When I started out with fishkeeping, I had amongst others guppies and peppered cories. I was told by the LFS owner that guppies like salt in their water. Back then I didn't know that cories don't like salt, so I added a little. These cories only lived for a couple of years. Now I keep cories in water without salt and the oldest one is about 10 years old. I dunno whether the age difference is simply because of the salt or not, but I won't be adding salt to the cory tank again.

 

[HeatherSweetness]

Now I keep cories in water without salt and the oldest one is about 10 years old.

Wow that's pretty cool,Morrgan! I didn't know they lived so long.

 

[Morrgan]

Yah, it's quite surprising how long a small fish like that can live. But according to what I've heard from other aquarists, 10 years is about late middle-age; one of them had a 14-year-old cory and another one had one that was 17 years! With any luck my little ones still have many years ahead.