•
Should I add salt to my freshwater aquarium?
jonesn207 asked:
I have been reading the pros and cons and I am not sure if I should or not. I have an 18 gallon aquarium with Neon Tetras, Glowlight Tetras, and two Lace Catfish. I have read that these fish are sensitive to salt but some websites still recommend adding a small amount. So, what are your thoughts and how much should I add if I need to add any?
I have been reading the pros and cons and I am not sure if I should or not. I have an 18 gallon aquarium with Neon Tetras, Glowlight Tetras, and two Lace Catfish. I have read that these fish are sensitive to salt but some websites still recommend adding a small amount. So, what are your thoughts and how much should I add if I need to add any?
•
24. September 2008 at 9:11 am :
Well..salt is generally used to treat fish diseases, but that doesn’t do much for that. It mainly helps carnivorous fish diseases like hole in the head where fish get indents in their heads due to lack of nutrition and stress or even parasites. You generally put 2 tbsps of salt per 10 gallons i believe, but for your community fish it’s totally unnecessary to put salt. good luck!
OH I ALMOST FORGOT! DO NOT GET SALT WITH IODINE!!! that regular old salt w/ the umbrella girl usually has no iodine, but i suggest kosher salt. don’t put 2 tbsp in a tank with those little fish, they might be too sensitive so put like maybe half a tbsp per 10 gallons or so. do people randomly thumbs down for the hell of it?
25. September 2008 at 7:54 am :
Since they are sensitive and you want to try out a little salt I would only use 1/4 teaspoon per gallon. This isn’t much, but keep an eye on your fish. If you see a problem developing change the water back again.
I find that salt helps on the slime coat and helps get rid of Ich
28. September 2008 at 5:45 pm :
we actually use aquarium salt (different from marine salt for saltwater tanks!!!) and its added once every week or every week and a half. i was told it helps with digestion and other health issues with the fish. we havent had much problems with our fish dying or water levels being bad…but not sure if the salt has anything to do with it or not
30. September 2008 at 8:58 pm :
live bearers prefer some salt but I dont think those do so just leave it like that only use salt when treating something like ich
2. October 2008 at 7:30 pm :
With catfish and most bottom feeders, no. Scaleless fish are very sensitive to salt. I wouldn’t risk it.
None of these fish come from an area where salt is found in the water.
There are a few websites I’ve seen that make comments that I (and most long time hobbyists/aquarists) don’t agree with. Does that make me right? Not always, but my recommendations are usually sound.