Why is there so much debate over salt baths?

Question

Some people swear by the treatment and as a result get chastised by those who believe in chemicals and medications first. If a treatment works why is there so much debate?

I'm talking about the salt bath treatment for sick fish, NOT BATH SALTS FOR HUMANS!!!

Answer 1

I also would have to say the big debate here isn't over the use of salt as a bath, but the use of salt in general. I've used low concentrations of salt in my tanks for about 15 yrs now, and have never had a problem with ich or other conditions in my freshwater tanks in that time, nor have I experienced any of the "negative effects" so many websites warn about. Is it absolutely necessary - I would say no, because I had kept a lot of fish prior to using salt, but I had more stress and disease related problems during that time as well. Maybe those who are against its use have never tried it themselves.

To me, salt has other benefits as well. If you want to see more about that, I'll link to another question I answered - judging by the 47 votes on the question (29 of which supported the use of salt, 5 of which didn't really support or go against salt, and 13 of which were against) most people on the forum have read that answer already! http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AiHHoLH9.m01nMSpSTARJL_ty6IX?qid=20070401170012AA7ylhv&show=7#profile-info-z4snreheaa

Maybe the reason they argue is just because they haven't tried it, they don't understand the biology/physiology behind it's purpose, or they've always used meds to solve their problems and feel this is the only effective way to treat some conditions. I try to keep an open mind and try to keep up with new information and treatment options (as long as they're from a reliable source and have good scientific procedures behind the results - I'm always wary of info that only comes from a single source - especially if it's all coming from the manufacturing company!). I, for one, prefer more natural remedies if they exist and the fish/inverts/plants can tolerate the treatment to chemicals. Natural remedies are also cheaper and more reliable than some of the "technology" used for the same purposes, like UV sterilizers. Not that I'm saying they won't help - even commercial tank set-ups you see in stores have these, but the fish still get ich, fungal infections, etc. The functional drawback of UV is that the water containing the organisms must flow outside the tank and into the UV unit. If the organisms get into the gravel, or have enough swimming capability that they avoid the intake leading to the UV unit, they won't kill any of the organisms you're trying to get rid of. In my own opinion, they're an unnecessary expense for the average tank, especially when the lamps need to be replaced so frequently. Salt remains in the water throughout the tank, sump, filters, etc. so pathogens can't escape it.

On a side note, I also have to disagree with carbon removing salt from water. I have used activated carbon in tanks at times and have never seen a reduction in the specific gravity for either fresh, brackish, or saltwater tanks. Carbon is recommended for removing ink & toxins for those who keep octopi and boxfish, phermones and hormones of other fish, and toxic cellular contents expelled by some of the caulerpas as they bleach. Bob Fenner, a marine scientist, author, and aquarist also recommends it in the saltwater forums he moderates for wetwebmedia:

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/carbonfaqs.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/carbonfaq2.htm

Answer 2

LMAO...sorry, that's funny that you actually had to clarify between humans and fish :)

I don't know, I've read a few articles that say that salt really only helps with parasite infections and helps with high nitrites in the water, and have heard otherwise. I prefer using salt or MelaFix or PimaFix for treatments as opposed to chemicals. I use the chemicals or harder meds as a last resort. It's like anything else in life, there's debate about everything :)

Answer 3

I agree. I have not heard a debate about salt baths other than it can cause more stress to an already stressed or sick fish. Science has new discoveries every day. Some old school treatments are still a stand by for some people. Salt has a place but not for treating fish.

I do not believe in salt baths since they really do not correct any problems with fish in general. Salt dips can be used to remove some parasites, however those that remain on the fish return to the tank. Since many parasites exist in a tank environment there are no home treatments to completely rid a tank of them.

It was an old stand by that ich parasite was cured using salt when that is simply not true. I have spent many years testing one theory in my research.

It is no different in humans. While some of the species believes in medicines to cure their diseases, others use home remedies. Some diseases cannot be cured by old fashioned means. Strains of bacteria, parasites and virus' change with time. Evolution if you will.

Microorganisms change, people change the world changes. Learning to keep up with it and adapting to it is how evolution works.

Answer 4

There is no debate over salt baths. It is over salt in the tank.

Salt baths will drop some of the ich parasite from fish but not kill it. Your tank is still infected and will be reinfected with the next water change.

Ich is in the water and on the fish. It will only take hold of the fish when the fish becomes stressed or it's immune system is weakened.

No one said salt baths weren't good, but you still have to treat the tank. Your fish is not CURED by a salt bath. His stress is not relieved, his immune system isn't brought back to 100%. He is still stressed and he may have dropped some of the parasites but he isn't cured by a salt bath.

No where except for quack web pages will tell you that.

Also, anyone who knows anything about carbon and how it works will tell you it will remove the salt from the water in your tank so what miricle is being preformed on your fish when you add salt? Temperatures also have to exceed 90 degrees for the ich parasite to die. Anything less doesn't work. Look at 1,000 web pages and they will all give you a different temperature. 90 is the temperature or better. Which is why hot water added to your tank doesn't get rid of ich either.

Answer 5

I like to use salt. For one it works on most all diseases, bacterial, fungal and parasites. It does not kill the filter, and is easy to remove from the water. Its less stressful for the fish. Salt has been used to treat fish for hundreds of years.
There are reasons not to medicate the water. The main one is, you might be using the wrong kind of med. Unless you have a microscope and can correctly identify the pathogen, how do you truely know what ails your fish. Many diseases cause the exact same symptoms. The person at the petstore cannont diagnose what ailment your fish may have and many times sell you something inappropriate. I killed everything in my tank when I was a beginner with the advice to put some acidic med into the water. They were all dead in 2 hours. Thanks to Petco. Another reason not to medicate is the potential to loose the bacteria in the filter. All meds kill the bio bugs that keep the water stable. Even if they claim not to. Then you have to deal with recycling. Its hard to be sure that you've removed all the meds as well. Some become very toxic when in the water for long periods of time. Its very easy to over medicate too. My 55 gallon tank actually holds 45 gallons of water. Most people have no clue the actual gallons the tank is holding so you medicate using doses for more gallons than you actually have. In the case of meds more is not better, it can be deadly. I've had more problems using meds than salt. Salt is superior in my book. Add heat to 83 degrees, and nothing can survive but flukes. Flukes do need meds, they are tough, but you must positively identify them under a micro scope.
I also like to combine salt and heat with a good medicated food. Medicated foods work as long as the fish is still eating. They don't kill the filter either. It is a good rule of thumb to observe your fish when they are healthy. Notice warning signs. If they have gotten to the point of not eating it's usually too late. My fish have only been sick 2 times in the last 3 years. I haven't used a drop of chemical in the tank and they are still booking around fine.
The key is disease prevention. That means regular tank maintenence. Change the water on schedule and don't let up on it. Feed high quality fresh food and very the diet, adding fresh washed veggies and fruits or fresh human grade seafood, depending on species you are keeping.

Answer 6

I'm not sure either why there is so much debate. Salt baths work, that's fairly well accepted and well proven through University and Government research going back 40 years or more. In fact, salt baths were used as a cure and referenced in aquarium books as far back as the the very early 1900's

Salt in tanks on the other hand stirs but debate. Salt in a tank as a cure for ich works, that's fairly well accepted and well proven through University and Government research going back 40 years or more. In fact, salt treatments were used as a cure and referenced in aquarium books as far back as the the very early 1900's.

So let the thumbs down for the truth commence.

MM

Answer 7

The government can take my guns, but they will not get my bath salts! They will have to pry it from my bleeding hands!

Answer 8

theyre greedy over all that sea salt

Answer 9

I have to agree with Lee and Ken here. What debate? Salt dips, when preformed correctly have certain benefits. However most aquarist fear salt burns and killing their fish and do not usethem. It is true, ich does not like salt and many of the parasites will drop from the fish. But will not kill ich. Salt dips were used years ago as a "cure" for ich in conjunction with dips. Removing parasites is the key. However they preformed many salt dips since the fish kept getting reinfected until it became healthy enough to ward off the parasite in general. (They also used leaches to bleed people that were sick. and novicane wasn't invented nor used to pull teeth!)

Archeological evidence of fish-keeping dates back to the Sumerians (2500 BC) and the Babylonians (500 BC). Egyptians considered fish sacred, worshiping the Nile Perch among others. Romans also kept fish in tanks but perhaps not for as decorative purposes as the Chinese; keeping them fresh for the dinner table! Almost all salt fish, which is where they myth that fish need salt came from in the first place.

While in the late 1800's and early 1900's the majority of fish tanks were for those who lived near the ocean only. Tropical and fresh water fish, unless used for "fresh fish" in rain barrels (Hence the phrase easy as shooting fish in a barrel came from) were unheard of with the exception of perhapsa lab, also not far from the ocean.

Which after observation (1900's), scientists studying fish realized salt water fish are prone to less diseases than fresh water fish since the high salt levels PRESERVE the fish. Hence assuming salt must kill or retard diseases. In modern day we now know this is not true.

During the 1950's WWII commercial (mostly human consumption foods) use ex-combat pilots to transport their fish around the world.

It wasn't until the 1960s, fish keeping as a hobby took off and improved as the industry went from glass framed tanks to glass sealed tanks allowing for better waterproofing of the tank. Further innovations include the advent of the acrylic tank, which is more lightweight, more crack resistant and lends itself to different shapes besides the basic rectangle glass tank. As Americians as well as other countries fell in love with keeping "fancy" fish many advances in fish keeping have evolved.

The debate has raged since then. As with every government study you have those who think eggs are bad for you and those who think they are good for you.

I personally love my fish and would rather keep them healthy than worry about sick fish, however they do get sick. If I know a medicine works for my fish to heal faster and I have a 98% chance of saving them I will vs. snakeoil remedies which most often fail. I don't want my fish to suffer. All too often I have emails from people who tried the salt for the ich and it didn't work after some advised to do it and refrain from chemicals. As a result loosing their fish or prolonging the suffering with the parasite. (and these people used salt in their tanks as a general rule)

Everyone has their reasons for keeping fish the way they do. To salt or not to salt that is the question. To each his own. Unfortunately if the chemical compounds are not written on your aquarium salt lable, it is just that Calcium silicate, not enriched sea salt, since Calcium silicate is just that salt. No electrolites (which are replaced anyway when doing a water change) A thicker slime coat is produced on your fish with the use of salt due to protecting the fish from the initial salt itself. This isn't healthy for the fish. It may ward off parasites in the tank, but at what cost to the fish.

It is true carbon will also pull out salt which is why it isn't used in salt water aquariums. Filters contain no carbon since it would become useless quickly changing the salinity. Regular filter pads not containing carbon are used for rear filters and other media for other filters. So when people tell me they salt their tank, I just chuckle.