i read that salting a fishtank can help even freshwater fish. i'm pretty sure it's to replace electrolites or get ride of their slime coating for medicine, but i was wondering:
(a) what are the benifits?
(b) how much salt is okay for a freshwater tank?
i have 2 iridenscent sharks and a little feeder fish in a 10 gallon tank, if that helps any...
2006-07-17 10:57:51 · 11 answers · asked by amaranth628! 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
A tiny bit of salt helps the fish feel less stressed, and is a good buffer for disease, as others have said.
You can find some aquarium salt at your pet shop made specifically to put in freshwater aquariums. A little salt does a fishy good!
2006-07-17 11:29:30 · answer #1 · answered by bettalover 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mopar's right on pretty much all counts.
Notes
- You don't need to add salt. Mostly it's main use is to give you a nice warm rosy feeling.
- Salt is harmful to ich/ick. (It has some minor effect vs various bacteria.) If you get ich you should double Mopar's amount then replace 1/2 your water once the ich is gone. (You should still use heat, and an anit-ich med.)
- You can use table salt despite people's iodine worries. (If you're really concern you can find kosher salt, or table salt without iodine.)
- Once you've put salt in a tank. Base the amount of salt you put in on the amount of water you took out. Not the amount of water you put in.
2006-07-17 12:00:45 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What you want to know is on the instructions on the box of salt for fish, You are correct about electrolites just buy aquarium salt at a pet supply place.
2006-07-17 11:01:41 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not sure you need any salt for so small a tank. It has to do with helping their body to resist diseases and promote good health. Make sure you have a filter though. I suggest you visit an aquarium and look on a box of aquarium salt to see what the recommended dosage would be. You may even ask a helper to assist you.
2006-07-17 11:13:35 · answer #4 · answered by Robere 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Several years ago my fish had a bad case of ICK! I went to several pet stores in the area, and that salt can help to keep that from happening.
Good Luck!
2006-07-17 11:01:19 · answer #5 · answered by carla22258 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Salt will increase the fish's slime production making it more difficult for them to be infested with parasites/fungus etc. It also makes the water less tolerable for the parasites.
2006-07-17 11:01:51 · answer #6 · answered by iceni 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
salting fish tanks is for salt water fish
dont put salt in a fresh water fish tank
and get a life
2006-07-17 11:00:15 · answer #7 · answered by cobra21495 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I used to add a pich of salt to my 40-gallon cichlid tank every week (I not longer have the tank). I am not sure EXACTLY what it does, but it keeps them healthy, keeps away "the ick"...
2006-07-17 11:00:19 · answer #8 · answered by Petey 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
salt keeps it clean
2006-07-17 11:05:19 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
my pet store guy says the same thing as mopar murph so he probably has the best answer
2006-07-17 11:02:20 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋