Question on API Aquarium Salt (aka petstore rip off)

[Carefree_Dude]

I wonder if API has a higher salt content than the morton softener salt? Depending on where it is gotten from, one of the salts could have a higher shale content. I've used API in the past, and i've seen very little shale in the containers.

Oh, I ask this because i work at a salt mine and salt processing facility, and its almost impossible to get less than 1% shale in our product. on rare occasion we have as much as 10% depending on where we mine at.

 

[mshill90]

I've never had shale in any of the water softener salt that I use. So I don't know.

I just know that it's a complete rip off to buy the aquarium salt.

I have to know the salt percentages ratio because I have koi, and that's really the only thing that gets used on them unless they have something serious.

Some people use epsom salt for african cichlids, but that's a wayyyy different salt ratio.

 

[Carefree_Dude]

i thought espom salt wasn't really salt at all? I dunno, I just know what comes out of our mine well. of course, i've never looked at a bag of softener salt either.

 

[mshill90]

i thought espom salt wasn't really salt at all? I dunno, I just know what comes out of our mine well. of course, i've never looked at a bag of softener salt either.

It's magnesium sulfate in the heptahydrate epsomite form. People use it as a tonic for Africans. I have used it on my frontosa and their colors really popped with it.

 

[bjbass]

I dont know becayse I dont use the api salt. api is probably more because its ground up a bit more.

Hmm ok. When you say a cup.. you are talking about a measuring cup? I know that I have a drinking cup that I fill completely with API salt for my 210 with 240 gallons total volume with my sump. I measured out their healing amount and it was a lot.

 

[mshill90]

Fish need .3-.5% for healing.

And when I say 1 cup, I mean measured.

A 240, would get 2.5 cups to heal at .3%

 

[jcardona1]

Hmm ok. When you say a cup.. you are talking about a measuring cup? I know that I have a drinking cup that I fill completely with API salt for my 210 with 240 gallons total volume with my sump. I measured out their healing amount and it was a lot.

What are you adding salt for? Treatment? Or just because, at each water change?

 

[bjbass]

What are you adding salt for? Treatment? Or just because, at each water change?

Well... I have used it for treatment. Fin damage seems to go away like frayed ends and splits and I have some fish that rub their nose on wood and it breaks open. It seems to heal all of that. They just seem to be healthier and more comfortable with salt added.

 

[bjbass]

I bought this at Lowe's. It says 99% salt. Can I use this instead of API aquarium salt? I need this for fin damage in my freshwater tank.

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[mshill90]

Yes, this is what I was referring to. This is the only thing I use.