Salt in Oscar tank

[Keeper of Chunga]

I have heard 2 different pieces of information.

First is that salt added can be beneficial, therapeutical, and preventative. Also recommended (at a concentration of 2 teaspoons of salt per gallon) to treat ich.

Second, that salt should NOT be added unless there are open wounds and even then should be used only sparingly and for short periods with plenty of WC's.

....the o has freakin ich now from the farlowella I brought home last week...the farlo also has it, bad ....

It gives me an excuse to mix chemicals and play with my tank but just had a question about salt and o's specifically.

 

[levick]

just try raising the temp for now till we find out more info...
whats the temp at now?
how long has it had ich?

 

[balton777]

I used to add salt to my cichlid tanks but don't anymore. I haven't noticed any difference. If you do decide that adding salt is something you want to do, make sure you read the directions on the box...only 1 tbs per 5 gallons. If you add 2 tbs per 1 gallon, you'll most likely kill all your fish.

To treat your Oscars ich, raise the temp to 87 degrees F and the ich will go away after a week or so.

 

[Keeper of Chunga]

just try raising the temp for now till we find out more info...
whats the temp at now?
how long has it had ich?

Raising temp to 81 today, another 2 degrees tomorrow and so on I figure until 85-86 reached. Starting temp I keep at 78F.

O has had ich appear visibly only this morning. Farlo had it when I got him and I knew this was coming so i have it all set - but the salt thing threw me...

 

[evilxyardxgnome]

Why would you buy it if it had ich? You should of quarantined the fish then.

 

[evilxyardxgnome]

I would raise the temp to about 85 and add salt. If you already see a lot of ich, it may be too late.

 

[balton777]

87 degrees F is the magic number to get rid of ich.

 

[levick]

87 degrees F is the magic number to get rid of ich.

i agree... and if he just now got ich the parasites havent really had time to imbed themselves...so raise the temp..i bet by tomorrow night he will be ich free....maybe friday morning.

 

[Keeper of Chunga]

Why would you buy it if it had ich? You should of quarantined the fish then.

I was in a hurry and just knew that the store had farlo's - told the guy to pick up the biggest one without closely examining it before I bought it. Since it is very cold where I am I was also in a hurry to get him into the tank - won't make that mistake twice...


How quickly do you raise the temp?

 

[AMG]

How quickly do you raise the temp?

Try to keep it around two degrees a day.