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2007-04-10 09:10:16 · 7 answers · asked by Sliver W 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
Platys will do just fine with a small amount of salt added to the tank water. Something around 1-2 teaspoons per 5 gallons will be fine for them.
MM
2007-04-10 09:35:21 · answer #1 · answered by magicman116 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
no, it isn't true. Salt is a very good addition to any tank. Freshwater fish need salt too, just not as much. The salt in the water gives them electrolites and helps to control paricite communities which will reside in your tank wether you like it or not (if you have access to a microscope you can actually see them!). When i began using aquarium salt in my platy tank i noticed them pick up a little. Do it! (also remember that after you fill the tank up with salt the only time you need to replace it is when you take water out of the tank, when you are doing a quick filler-upper in the middle of the week during the summer don't add extra salt, because it's still in there)
2007-04-10 16:45:16 · answer #2 · answered by Alison B 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Livebearers (including platties) do best with at least some salt in their water (about 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons). Platties do not need salt as much as Mollies however they still benefit from the electrolytes provided by salt. Salt also helps with good osmotic function as well.
This article explains a little more here:
http://aquarium-answers.blogspot.com/2006/12/how-do-fish-drink.html
Besides salt calcium and other electrolytes are very important for platties (and most other fish, however livebearers are even more sensitive to poor trace element/ electrolyte levels.
I recommend reading this article for more about this:
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumKH.html
2007-04-10 16:43:18 · answer #3 · answered by Carl Strohmeyer 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
No this is not true. salty water is good for them. I have many platies in my tank but i dont have any problem with salt. Salt is good medicine for the tank.
2007-04-10 16:15:35 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
In the wild they live in brackish (slightly salty) water but it's not necessary to put salt in the aquarium for them, though they do prefer it.
2007-04-10 16:17:18 · answer #5 · answered by bumblecherry 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
yes its mollies that are brackish(some salt) in water.not platies
2007-04-10 16:17:29 · answer #6 · answered by paul f 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you are running a carbon based filter it doesn't matter if you add salt. Your filter will pull it out in a matter of hours anyway.
2007-04-10 16:49:50 · answer #7 · answered by Chelsea I 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋