Treating Fungus with Salt

[Gambl0r]

Hi There,

Long time Lurker, first time poster

I have an 8 Gallon tank I just inherited from my Girlfriend (She got a new bigger tank and let me have the newbie tank to try my hand at the whole fish thing..)

Anyway, long story short I have just added two female guppies yesterday and only just noticed a small patch of what looks like white fluf on one of the new females...

I immediately got out the Aquarium Salt but the instructions make no sense to me..

[To combat fungus] " use a dilution of one teaspoonfull of salt to 5 litres of water and increase to two teaspoonful per 5 litres on the second day. Change the solution daily keeping a carefull check on water temperatures to avoid fluctuations."

Surely they don't mean add a teaspoon per 5 litres today then add another two tomorrow? When they say change the solution do they mean do a water change and if so how much??

I have 4 Neon Tetra and 4 small Black Phanton Tetra, 3 Females and one Male Guppy, a small clown loach to clean up the last of a small snaill problem (will be moving to the bigger tank then) and a small Pleco (also has a space reserved in a bigger tank once he\she grows a bit

Will the Salt affect any of these fish if I put it in??

Worried in Ireland

 

[Cheese Specialist]

I don't understand the instructions either! However, salt should not be used on catfish and loaches (including your plec).

I don't get what is going on with the salt instructions. Mine says a round tablespoon per 5 gallons (18.9 litres) and to put the tempature to 80F.

Salt does not evaporate and cannot be taken out of the tank other than through water changes, so I don't see why you'd have to add more the next day unless a full dose is not being added at once.



Anyway, HTH

 

[Gambl0r]

K, Have put in a tablespoon of salt and temp removed All Catfish like things..

Will I need to add more salt again or should I just keep an eye on my furry friend. How long should I leave it before trying something different?

 

[Cheese Specialist]

You'll only need to add more salt when you take some out doing a water change. It cannot be removed by the filter and does not evaporate.

I am not sure how long to leave it, certainly a couple of days unless the fish gets worse.

 

[Nina7777]

Hey there-
How bad is the fungus? If it is really bad I suggest getting an antibiotic which is stronger and using the salt in conjunction with the medication.

If you want to leave you loaches and plecs in the tank while treating, then put some tank water in a container put one TEASPOON of salt per 5 gallons into the container and wait for the granules to disapear. when they have disappeared pour the solution into your filter. This will not harm your loaches or pleco as it is a very small amount and will distribute throughout the water instead of staying on the bottom where all these animals like to dwell. (ps. DO NOT add anymore salt unless you do a 25% or more water change, and only add a half of teaspoon.)



For the medication read the directions and only add half the recommended amount (if you leave the loach and plecin there.)

Or if the fungus isn't too bad.....skip the salt and medication and just put Melafix. It is all natural and wont harm your plec or your loaches.

These are just my tried and tested methods that work for me. Other people may have different opinions.