So what's the real story?

[ziggy2]

I have read in places where salt will kill or damage my plants. Then you hear people say it will not do any damage.

What's the real story?

[Haag13]

Everything I've ever read says that salt kills most plants. Of course some plants are obviously going to be more sensitive than others but I'm not going to take the chance to find out. Is there some particular reason you want to add salt to your tank?

[WyldFya]

Depends on the plant. Several plants can handle brakish conditions.

[Bk828]

People been using salt for example when they battle ich, many sources say that its safe to use salt in a planted tank for a 1-2 weeks with minimal damage to the plants.

[ziggy2]

I was going to treat a fish with a little salt. If I do it would Marine salt or Epson salt be best?

[Bk828]

you can use aquarium sea salt, i believe API has it out, you can also use table salt.

[schaadrak]

What plants do you have in the tank you're trying to treat? It might be better to transfer the fish to a quarantine/hospital tank and treat it/them there.

In terms of chemically safer, Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) are used as fertilizer all the time, where table salt is usually a big no-no. But the issue might be the actual salinity of the water interfering with the plants.

Also lots of invertebrates are very sensitive to sudden changes in salinity, so be careful if you have any that you're fond of.

[TheFanatic]

you can use aquarium sea salt, i believe API has it out, you can also use table salt.


Uh, no you can't. You have to use un-iodized salt and table salt does not fit the bill.

If you need to add a little salt do so, but don't go crazy. And remember, just because water evaporates out of your tank doesn't mean the salt does too. The only way to get it out is with water changes...

[Bk828]

thats what i meant.. but read that even the regular salt can be used since the concentration of iodine is 2 low to do any harm.. but w/e just my 2 cents

[ziggy2]

Thanks for all the input.

[bigspizz]

Uh, no you can't. You have to use un-iodized salt and table salt does not fit the bill.

If you need to add a little salt do so, but don't go crazy. And remember, just because water evaporates out of your tank doesn't mean the salt does too. The only way to get it out is with water changes...






There is a such thing as UN iodized table salt....And moreover iodized salt is only rumored and debated to do harm to fish. In the small concentration found in iodized table salt, it may even be beneficial to your fish....You can use table salt. I use aquarium salt. If my fish is constipated, I use epsom....

[Liam]

There is a such thing as UN iodized table salt....And moreover iodized salt is only rumored and debated to do harm to fish. In the small concentration found in iodized table salt, it may even be beneficial to your fish....You can use table salt. I use aquarium salt. If my fish is constipated, I use epsom....


It's what I use for my brine shrimps