Ive been out of the aquarium hobby for about 7 years and it looks like a lot of new stuff to learn, such as I had a question about salt in freshwater aquariums, ive seen on several posts randomlly throughout the site saying they always put small ammounts of salt in all there freshwater aquariums and the fish get bigger and healthier because of it. is this true and if it is, how much salt, I assume marine salt you can buy at your local fish shop. I think one of the posts said 1 teaspoon per 5 gallons, another said 1 teaspoon per 10 gallons. just wanted some peoples opinion on this. and if it is true looks like im gonna have to buy more testing supplies, IE to get salt readings
salt in the freshwater aquarium?
- Thread starter golcondorus
- Start date
I don't think there is any exact science to how much salt needs to be added (within reason), but you don't need testing equipment for any salt readings. For ridding your aquatic buddies of ich/ick salt works well with gradual temperature increases. Salt also can counter the affects of nitrite spikes, this helps when cycling. As far as type of salt, don't buy sea salt for your fresh water aquarium, I just buy what is refered to as Aquarium salt, I'm sure others will give you brands....
I think i may have answered my own question, i searched online (yahoo) for salt in freshwater aquariums and a lot of stuff came up, most of which said that to add it as a full time thing could probablly be bad for the fish, it said its useful for ich and nitrite poisoning if that happens, but unless your neglegent of your fish you shouldnt have a nitrite problem, anyway, does anyone agree with what I found or not. I know there are a million opinions about everything, just ask me about reptiles and you wont ever get me to shut up (i breed them, keep fish as hobby in the reptiles room, makes it nice and calming, helps with humidity levels too)
I am one who tends to use salt all the time, 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons. Even corys tolerate that level and since I stick to cheap hardy plants I haven't had any problem there either. It lessens the occurance of mold, fungus, bacterial infections, and speeds healing of minor wounds. Been doing it for years. I do not use it when trying to breed characins or dorydid cats.
I use one Tablespoon per 5 gallons in my unplanted tanks, 1 tablespoon 10 gallons in my planted tanks. My fish are healthy and happy.