Aquarium Salt...true/false?

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krzr3000

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May 9, 2006
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I recently came across some 'information' of sorts regarding the implementation of salt use in tanks. I'm not going to say where but....this is verbatim of one section of the information.

"Benefits of freshwater salt...

Adds electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, chloride, calcium, and magnesium.

Enhances color and vitality of fish.

Increases natural slime coat.

Promote disease recovery."

I was wondering how much of this is true, proven etc. As the target of the information has been instructed to push the use.
 
It is an irritant to the fish, so they produce more slime, helping them heal/recover from infections. Also, many parasites don't like salt at all. It does add electrolites (mainly sodium and chloride). Your tap water has enough electrolytes for your fish already. Just keep salt on hand to deal with any infections that may occur. Oh, and make sure it is not iodized salt, just plain NaCl.
 
Why does everyone say make sure it's non-iodized? Are people just repeating what everyone else is saying or is there some kind of actual danger? I've seen no valid information regarding the use of iodized salt.

I've used iodized salt in my aquariums before and as far as I know neither sodium iodide or iodate are harmful to fish in small amounts. Most people add them to their SW aquariums and in some cases freshwater for inverts.

Does anyone have any information regarding the use iodized salt?

krzr3000, I've never seen salt enhance the color of freshwater fish, so I think that's a potentially false claim (it might in some but overall no).
 
ShadowBass;1148005; said:
Are people just repeating what everyone else is saying...
Click to expand...

That about sums up the internet.


I just read a huge thread on another site against salt but the best evidence was what other people said and weird assumptions/conclusions. Nothing was based on any studies.

Since I started using salt regularly, health problems in my fish have dramaticly reduced. Also, the occurance of "mystery death" has become almost nill.
 
Iodized salt isn't something that's going to kill your fish off in a single dose no. but it's also not something thats worth risking just to save a few cents or a trip to the store. There are a great many things in our hobby that we can "get away with" for a long time before they cause problems.
 
Wolf3101;1149713; said:
Iodized salt isn't something that's going to kill your fish off in a single dose no. but it's also not something thats worth risking just to save a few cents or a trip to the store. There are a great many things in our hobby that we can "get away with" for a long time before they cause problems.
Click to expand...

How is it a risk?
 
I have found that all the claims seem to be true, this is through my own experience. As for aquarium salt vs iodized salt, Aquarium salt is a mix of salts, not just sodium chloride like table salt, so using table salt loses that advantage. I don't think the tiny ammount of iodine is an issue, especially in short term treatment of ich, but many iodized salts also contain anti-caking agents ( such as sodium ferrocyanide) that can produce small amounts of toxins when dissolved and exposed to sunlight.
 
guppy;1153279; said:
I have found that all the claims seem to be true, this is through my own experience. As for aquarium salt vs iodized salt, Aquarium salt is a mix of salts, not just sodium chloride like table salt, so using table salt loses that advantage. I don't think the tiny ammount of iodine is an issue, especially in short term treatment of ich, but many iodized salts also contain anti-caking agents ( such as sodium ferrocyanide) that can produce small amounts of toxins when dissolved and exposed to sunlight.
Click to expand...

Sources?

This is what API's website says:

"All natural salt, made from evaporated sea water, promotes healthy gill function, reduces stress and loss of electrolytes. Used to improve the efficiency of medications and reduce the harmful effects of nitrite."

Sounds like sea salt to me...

Table salt is refined salt.
 
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