Salt (NaCl) is this salt safe?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I don't think so. When it dissolves in solution it splits into Na+ and Cl- ions, thereby adding chlorine to your water, which sucks.
 
I dunno, bro. I bought 6 bags of the 50lbs bags for $3.99 each, and have been using it. Whenever I change water, I add some of this salt into the tank with dechlor of course, and the fish seems to like it. They like to gather in it like it's scratching something that itches. So far, knock on wood, I've had no problems with it, and I've been through 3 bags. Of course I would add my disclaimer to use this at your own risk. The chemistry and balance of my tanks, might not be similar to yours. It makes me wonder what is the 0.5%.
 
ewurm said:
I don't think so. When it dissolves in solution it splits into Na+ and Cl- ions, thereby adding chlorine to your water, which sucks.
Click to expand...

Howdy,

That is true and untrue. It indeed dissolves into ions. However, this adds chloride, not chlorine to the water. NaCl is regular table salt and chloride the main component of marine salt. If added in low amounts to freshwater (quarantine, etc) it should not be a problem. For a brackish or saltwater tank, however, I do not recommend it. For those applications, you want a more divers salt mix.

It says "water softener salt" on the package. Are you planning on using it to regenerate ion exchange resins?

HarleyK

I, too, wonder what the remaining 0.5 % is ...
 
HarleyK said:
Howdy,

That is true and untrue. It indeed dissolves into ions. However, this adds chloride, not chlorine to the water. NaCl is regular table salt and chloride the main component of marine salt. If added in low amounts to freshwater (quarantine, etc) it should not be a problem. For a brackish or saltwater tank, however, I do not recommend it. For those applications, you want a more divers salt mix.

It says "water softener salt" on the package. Are you planning on using it to regenerate ion exchange resins?

HarleyK

I, too, wonder what the remaining 0.5 % is ...
Click to expand...

Crap, I knew that too, and I blew it. One demerit.
 
Table salt is also sodium chloride, that is not the problem. What is the other .5%? Aluminum salts? potassium? iodine?
 
Isn't there a 1/2% of everything that is truly a mystery? I really don't know because it doesn't specify. Somone on here was buying evaporated sea salt for their aquariums at Home Depot, but I can't seem to find it anywhere, and I'm tired of paying 5 skins for a 1/2 pound of so called Aquarium Salt....
 
aqurium salt is a huge ripoff. Any of the table salts work fine and won't hurt your fish. People worry about the iodine and anti-caking agents.

Fish actually need iodine, just as people do and that's why it's in a lot of table salts. The anti-caking agents are easily safe enough for us to eat and also for our fish. I haven't paid for aquarium salt in years. This is yet another thing the pet industry loves to make money off of.

windsurfer
 
Seems like this is discussed once a week. I still buy the aquarium salt because it is evaporated sea salt and has lots of vitamins and minerals in it that are good for your fish. The stuff you buy in a large bag lacks that which is 80% reason why I buy aquarium salt. Also ther are about 10 different types of water softener salt and might be too easy to add salt that has chemicals added to it. The bags might be way cheaper and the product might improve gill function, but I am looking at it as a supplement as well for my fish's overall health.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom