Aquarium salt side effects?

[Azrael]

Have you tested your water?

Yes

If yes, what is your ammonia?

0

If yes, what is your nitrite?

0

If yes, what is your nitrate?

15-20

If I did not test my water...

1. ...I recognize that I will likely be asked to do a test, and that water tests are critical for solving freshwater health problems.

Do you do water changes?

Yes

What percentage of water do you change?

91-100%

How frequently do you change your water?

Every week

If I do not change my water...

1. ...I recognize that I will likely be recommended to do a water change, and water changes are critical for preventing future freshwater health problems.

Is there any negative side effects that can happen from adding aquarium salt? Livestock or parameters? Was reading a tablespoon for every 5 gallons. I have a 2 ft long fire eel that decided to stop eating and we are at day 5 now which is starting to be concerning. Was thinking maybe adding salt to the sump in case it's a bacterial thing but I don't want to risk messing anyone else up. There is a decent amount invested in the tank and alot of big fish I don't want to risk killing. Black aro, bichirs, Bala sharks. Everyone else in the tank is eating and acting fine. Tank is a 240g and have it on a 2gph water change drip system

 

[tlindsey]

Is there any negative side effects that can happen from adding aquarium salt? Livestock or parameters? Was reading a tablespoon for every 5 gallons. I have a 2 ft long fire eel that decided to stop eating and we are at day 5 now which is starting to be concerning. Was thinking maybe adding salt to the sump in case it's a bacterial thing but I don't want to risk messing anyone else up. There is a decent amount invested in the tank and alot of big fish I don't want to risk killing. Black aro, bichirs, Bala sharks. Everyone else in the tank is eating and acting fine. Tank is a 240g and have it on a 2gph water change drip system

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I wouldn't add any aquarium salt because it may affect the Fire Eel and your other scale less fish.

 

[tlindsey]

What have you been feeding the Fire Eel?
Have you tried anything live like a earthworm?

 

[Azrael]

What have you been feeding the Fire Eel?
Have you tried anything live like a earthworm?

He only wants to eat krill, most everyone else eats shrimp but he won't seem to touch that. I will run down to the store and get some worms and see if that works. How long can they go without food before they die?

 

[tlindsey]

He only wants to eat krill, most everyone else eats shrimp but he won't seem to touch that. I will run down to the store and get some worms and see if that works. How long can they go without food before they die?

Sorry for the late reply at work. Your Fire Eel looks pretty healthy and some large fish can go a month without eating.

 

[Azrael]

Sorry for the late reply at work. Your Fire Eel looks pretty healthy and some large fish can go a month without eating.

Thanks for the reply, he actually decided to eat last night ? must of just been in a funk

 

[tlindsey]

Thanks for the reply, he actually decided to eat last night ? must of just been in a funk

Great to hear that.

 

[duanes]

Just curious why aquarium salt is thought to be needed for certain of those fish?
Arowana, and fire ells come from low mineralized softish waters, and unless your water supply is close to RO, I don't see the point of aquarium salt.
Bichirs ( depending on species origen) have different water parameter tolerances, and requirements.
If your are keeping Bichirs that originate in Lake Turkana, some salinity may be a good thing.
If you were keeping rift lake Africans, a little remineralization, if your tap water is soft, might be appreciated.
But adding salt without knowing the pH, water hardness, and conductivity for certain species may be redundant, depending on the constituents of your tap water, and at times could be counterproductive.