Adding salt to freshwater aquarium?

[fhawk362]

Recently Ive been having some trouble with my tanks, I have had to quarantine 2 fish, one just died on me, After this happened I did daily water changes and my water parameters are now fine but one fish is still in quarantine and now my red ear is showing signs of being beat up. I have been researching salt and supposedly in the correct measurements it is very beneficial, What are your thoughts. My stock list is a LMB, two red ears, and a jag. Its a growout tank. Im wondering what your thoguhts are on salt and if I will be fine adding some to my tank.

 

[Bully Fish]

I add salt every waterchange. So far I have had no problem with parasites or illness. I keep blue jack dempseys and they are notorious for being very susceptible (sp?) to illness.

 

[Brian_Indiana]

I add aquarium salt with every water change as well.

 

[fhawk362]

What doses do you recommend, Ive read various things, The bottle says a table spoon per 5 gallons.

 

[Bully Fish]

Sounds about right. I have been adding it so long I dont bother measuring it anymore.

I think the carton that I have says 1 tablespoon per 10 gallons. If using it as a treatment you use more for a shorter period of time.

 

[mrwinkle]

Depends read this

THE USE OF SALT AS A PARASITICIDE

Used in proper amounts, salt effectively controls protozoans on the gills and skin of fish. In many instances, however, too little salt is used, rendering the treatment ineffective. The duration of treatment is used to determine the appropriate salt concentration.

A 3 percent salt dip effectively removes protozoa from the skin, gills, and fins of freshwater fish; it also enhances mucus production. Depending on the species, fish can remain in a 3 percent salt solution from 30 seconds to 10 minutes. In general, fish should be left in the salt solution until they lose equilibrium and roll over. When this happens, the fish should be quickly removed from the salt solution and placed in clean, untreated water. Because some species (notably, some tetras) do not tolerate salt well, a bioassay (a test to determine safe concentration) should be conducted before large numbers of these fish are treated. A similar benefit may be obtained by dipping marine fish in fresh water. Marine protozoa burst when placed in fresh water, effectively removing them from the external surfaces of fish. Marine fish should be left in fresh water for no more than 10 minutes, then returned to a clean seawater environment.

If dipping is not feasible, freshwater fish may be placed in a brackish water (i.e., 1 percent salt) solution for 30 minutes up to several hours. This procedure produces the same effects as a saltwater dip; that is, it removes external parasites (protozoa) and enhances mucus production. It also benefits fish recovering from skin wounds.

Finally, a light solution of 0.01 to 0.2 percent salt may be used as a permanent treatment in recirculating systems. Such levels are quite effective in eliminating single-cell protozoans. Most fish can tolerate prolonged exposure to salt at these concentrations; however, tetras and fish that navigate by electrical field (e.g., elephant nose) should not be maintained in salt.

this should help use the conversions hyperlink featured in the home page of this site.

 

[fhawk362]

Thanks guys

 

[fhawk362]

By the way how long do you recommend a quarantine period to be or should I feel it out by the fishes temperament

 

[mrwinkle]

By the way how long do you recommend a quarantine period to be or should I feel it out by the fishes temperament

If it is a new addition i quarantine mine about a week. if it is sick, until it is cured.

 

[Gprime]

wouldnt you get alot more help in the FW section? you're posting in the saltwater section. just thought i'd point that out.