Danger in to much Aquarium Salt?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
W

WOODYKYLITE

Gambusia
MFK Member
Oct 4, 2008
115
1
16
DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS
I was wondering is there a danger in adding to much aquarium salt, not sea salt or table salt, to a fresh water Tank. I am having some problems with ick and I am using aquarium salt to get rid of the ick. The aquarium salt also brings out the color and personality in my flowerhorn in a good way. I put more than the amount indicated per gallon, but I was also told you can put as much aquarium salt as you want for certain flowerhorns and they actually like it. I have been putting more than indicated on the box and my other fish don't seemed to mind it and the flowerhorn loves it. Also what is the difference between sea salt and aquarium salt. Is there a difference in disolveability. Can I actually put as much aquarium salt as I want even though I do do 60% water changes once a week. I want to make sure I'm not harming my fish even though it doesn't appear to be and it is in fact getting rid of the ick problem. Please help.

Thanks,
Woody
 
Too much salt is bad for the fish, I accidentally overdosed a tank once but did a massive water change before anyone was harmed.
 
I kept mine at a specific gravity of 1.008 for about 7 months, but just because the fish survived doesn't mean they were happy, and i likely did irreversible damage to them that could greatly shorten their lives.

I've seen some people suggest 1.003 is a good "highest" point, but the subject has been in debate for many years. I'd recommend only using salt if treating for illness.
 
I suggest no salt in a freshwater aquarium. Why add salt when your fishes are adapted to survive in fresh water conditions? Furthurmore, adding salt could create salt-resistant ich, which is much harder to treat than normal ich.
 
Spiritofthesoul;4910463; said:
I suggest no salt in a freshwater aquarium. Why add salt when your fishes are adapted to survive in fresh water conditions? Furthurmore, adding salt could create salt-resistant ich, which is much harder to treat than normal ich.
Click to expand...

doesn't all freshwater contain some level of salinity in the wild though? you'd be attempting to replicate something natural
 
If you have ich, you probably have nitrIte or ammonia present, and no amount of salt will fix this problem. Only clean water, and cycled biomedia will help keep your water happy.

Raise the temperature to 82 and keep the water clean. The clean water itself will help the fish fight off the ich infestation.

For directions on how to treat ich with salt, see here.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom