Aquarium Salt and Water Changes

[elting44]

Hello all,

I recently treated my 55 gallon tank that has 5 juvenile Green Terrors (growing out a pair), 6 Tigerbarbs, and a pleco for ich. I bumped the temp to 85.5* and added 2 Tbps per 10 gallons of water (so 12 Tbsp/55 Gallons). Everyone seems to be doing fine now and hopefully all fins that were damaged will heal nicely. I did a 50% water change, and added 5 1/2 Tbsp Aq Salt to replace what I removed.

My question is regarding the effects of small amounts of Aquarium salt over long period of time. From the reading I have done Aquarium Salt is said to help the healing of fins and injuries and protect against parasites/infections, so is it safe for fish to have a small dose of it in their water at all time? For example, if add 3 Tbsps every time I do a 50% water change on my 55 gallon (3 Tbsp/22 Gallons) That would maintain the amount of Aquarium Salt in the tank at about half the dosage recommended to treat for ich/parasites. Would that amount of salt do any good for the fish, i.e. prevent parasites or would the salt harm the fishes organs over time?

I only want the best for my fish. I change 100% of the water weekly in the form of two 50% WCs a week. My Nitrates are never higher than 10 ppm. I keep the temp around 80*F. pH is from 7.0-7.3. If adding a small dose of Aquarium Salt is beneficial for fish I would gladly do it.

Any advice is much appreciated!

 

[bigspizz]

I don't see why it would be needed. It is up to you though. Some never use salt, while others always use salt. This is one of the biggest debates. I am not afraid to voice my opinion on the matter though...This is me.....I use salt when treating for ich, injuries, or if I stir up and obsorbinant amount of particulate matter, I will then also dose to help soothe the gills....

 

[cassharper]

ditto spizz. The only thing you need to worry about with long term dosing is that some fish do not handle salt well at all.

 

[jcardona1]

I add salt everytime I do a water change, I add salt for the amount of new water I put in. It helps with the slime coating on the fish to help fight off disease and what not. No problems yet...

 

[elting44]

Thanks for the input, anyone else have .02 to throw in?

 

[Bud8Fan]

If the fish require it due to it being in their natural habitat then go for it. Otherwise save your time and money.

Just my .02.

 

[jcardona1]

If the fish require it due to it being in their natural habitat then go for it. Otherwise save your time and money.

Just my .02.

well on that note, i dont use aquarium salt they sell at pet stores, your just paying for the name brand. i use the salt crystals for water softeners. its 99.95923499423593465938534% pure salt and it costs $5 for a 40lb bag. that's what ive been using. and i use it in my koi pond too.