auarium salt in freshwater aquarium?

Question

I put 1 tablespoon of aquarium salt , 1 tsp aqua safe, & 1 tsp of stress zyme to 10 gallon aquarium I just set up. Did 5 test in one quick dip & GH, KH, & PH are high on feshwater scale. Do I use saltwater scale since aq salt was added if so all levels are OK. Please let me know ASAP!!

Answer 1

did you just set up the tank? if so you should actually dubble the ammounts of everything you put in. as far as your gh kh and ph levels most fish are extreemly adaptable and as long as your levels stay the same they will adapt to them, its when you start adding chemicals (most of which dont really work) to brink those levels down that fish start dying. fresh water salt is different from salt water salt and should still be read on the freshwater scale. just remember when using salt that the salt doesnt evaporate so once your inital levels are established you only need to add more when you do water changes and you only add enough salt for the ammount of water you take out ex: 10g tank and a 25% water change is 2.5g you want to add 1 tbsp of salt per 5g, so for a 2.5g water change you add 1/2tbsp.
good luck and have fun with your fish

Answer 2

You only need to use the saltwater scale if you have marine-strength salt. I'd check the expiration date on the test strips, and give your water a chance to settle before trying another test. It's possible something from the StressZyme or AquaSafe reacted with the test strips. Also, be sure not to touch the chemical pads or the readings will be off (they can also be affected by moisture if the bottles isn't capped well). Personally, I prefer the liquid test kits - they're more accurate (strips give a pretty big range of values) and give more tests per kit. They seem expensive at first, but I think they make up for the cost in the long run.

Answer 3

No even in a 1 gallon tank you didn't put in enough salt. Your high KH, GH, and pH are the result of your tap putting out hard water. Keep in mind that different fish prefer different water. A goldfish, or betta just won't care unless we are talking liquid rock. Molly, guppy, swordtail/platy, and the rest of the livebearers will thrive best in pH of 7.5 or more. Many African cichlids will thrive in pH of 8+. On the other hand soft water fish like tetras thrive in pH of 6.5 or less. Of course most will adapt, but they are more prone to disease if they are outside their idea range. Just remember a quick change in a good direction can still be deadly. So go slow if playing with your water chem.


PS- Aquarium salt is mostly useless, and is basically a way to sell pricey salt. It has it's uses, but they are very limited. Also
table salt works just as well for freshwater tanks.

Answer 4

Aquarium salt is good for a freshwater aquarium. Be sure that it is aquarium salt and not marine salt. Follow the recommended dosage on the package. There are types of fish that prefer some aquarium salt in the water such as goldfish and tetras, to name a few.

Answer 5

Did you use the salt designated for freshwater?
And you need to use 2 tablespoons of the salt for 10 gal. tank.

One thing about the chemicals that you put in your tank to reduce nitrates/nitrates and ammonia, they will show a false reading with your testing strips.

If this is a new set up, those levels should not be high at all. If anything, remove 50% of the water and start over.

Don't forget to float in your fish for about 20 minutes.

Answer 6

Ditto to all three posters above me. The salt is a good thing and in the level you added will not affect any of the tests you ran.

MM

Answer 7

The salt is fine. It wouldn't register with a hydrometer. You can do one rounded tablespoon per 5 gallons for any tank that doesn't have scaleless fish, like catfish.

Answer 8

It really all depends on how big your fish tank is. It shouldn't have any affect on your fish if it is as small a dose of salt as you say it is. But, like I said, it all depends on the size of your tank.

Answer 9

I just have guppies and a pleco, I usually only add Seasalt when they start to get slimy skin. It clears them up, I don't do any fancy tests