I have seen two salt addition procedures that require:
- 1 tablespoon/5 gallons water
- 1 tablespoon/10 gallons of water
The 1 tablespoon/5 gallons water are the instructions that I've seen on "Aquarium Salt" found in pet stores. But then I've seen a more conservative method from online procedures that call for 1 tablespoon/10 gallons of water.
I've used the 1 tablespoon/5 gallons water procedure with success...when I've had some "sick" fish".
As far as the procedure...the one that I've followed is a 10 day procedure:
- Day 1: Remove 40% of aquarium water...then replace it with an equal volume of treated water (salt added).
- Day 2: 20% water change (salt treated)
- Day 3: 20% water change (salt treated)
- Day 4: 20% water change (salt treated)
- Day 5: 20% water change (salt treated)
- Day 6: 20% water change (no salt)
- Day 7: 20% water change (no salt)
- Day 8: 20% water change (no salt)
- Day 9: 20% water change (no salt)
- Day 10: 20% water change (no salt)
So how much salt to add. For a 450 gallon tank...the initial 40% water change (180 gallons) would require 36 tablespoons of salt (1 tablespoon/5 gallons). Then each 20% water change (90 gallons) would require 18 tablespoons.
As far as what sort of salt to use. Basically you need to use common table salt that contains no Iodine. This is easily & cheaply found in grocery stores. The "safety label" that's over the spout of the salt container will say "Plain Salt"...and there will be a statement on the label of the salt container that will say something like "Contains no Iodine".
As I mentioned above...aquarium salt sold in pet stores recommends 1 tablespoon/5 gallons water (the method I've used)...but some procedures online only use 1 tablespoon/10 gallon water (a more conservative method). Your choice.
Good Luck
