I have a brackish tank and I don't even know it?

[Iron Buddha]

I have a freshwater 55 gallon with a African Knifefish, and an African Featherfin catfish, and a Congo Leaf Fish....so I thought.

I use API aquarium salt to promote healthy gill function and to reduce the stress and effects of nitrates....It works well ....i like it. I change 5-10 gallons a week and I usually add a cup of apa aquarium salt. It never occured to me that some people use this in there brackish tanks....could i possibly have some brackish fish in my tank that would get along with my african brown knife..he is not aggressive at all...except for against his own species. Any african brackish fish that would work in a 55 gallon...i plan on adding and elephant and/or baby whale..and a dehlzi bichir, maybe a rope fish. Is there such thing as an african pipe fish?

 

[BlackShark11k]

use salt as a tonic only if the fish aren't braksih.

 

[L021]

^agreed, in the long term its bad for their osmeoregulatory systems.

 

[crazyryceman]

a cup of salt for every 5-10 gallons is a bit much i think

 

[Cichlaholics Anonymous]

that salt can be damaging to some of those fish, especially the "scale-less" types

 

[Dragon cqzzzzz<]

I wouldn't add a pipefish to that setup. Pipefish aren't very aggressive feeders, and are difficult to feed to begin with. They would almost certainly be outcompeted for food by the other fish. Also, almost any pipefish you find available will require brackish or saltwater, and as stated above, your current stock should not be kept for extended periods of time in a salty environment.

 

[Iron Buddha]

Well geez...they should but that on the box.."API salt is only a tonic for occasional use" or something...


I don't put a cup for every 5-10 gallons...i put one cup for 55 gallons. once a week...but i will stop...

are there any fish that would survive in a fresh water tank but are brackish in nature. any african ones

 

[festerfish]

brackish tanks use sea salt which is not just table salt. and rememer salt doesnt evaperate so even if you are doing water changes the salt is still their.

 

[Dragon cqzzzzz<]

brackish tanks use sea salt which is not just table salt. and rememer salt doesnt evaperate so even if you are doing water changes the salt is still their.

That's only if he's replacing the salt with the new water. If you take water out, the salt goes with it, and if you don't add any salt in the new water, the salinity goes down.

I think festerfish was talking about topping off the water, which doesn't remove salt but just slightly dilutes it.

 

[jamesdecruz]

brackish water should be made with marine salt only . I personaly think tonic salts should only be used as and when needed , If they dont need med's why medicate