aquarium salt - can I use it??

"K. Elliot" <kevinelliot RemoveThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:645d3de1.0307061405.5c62be42@posting.google.com...
> Please forgive my ignorance on the topic, but I am wondering if I can
> use aquarium salt in my 55 gallon freshwater aquarium. The current
> inhabitants are as follows:
> - otto (one)
> - Clown Pl*co (one)
> - Yoyo Botia or Pakistani Loach (three)
> - Bleeding Heart Tetra (five)
>
> I have read that the Tetras will benefit from having a bit of the
> aquarium salt added but am worried about the Yoyo botias, Pl*co and
> Otto and what effect the addition of salt will have on them.
>
> Also, I have a gold algae eater in a separate 10 gallon freshwater
> tank with some cardinal tetras, would the algae eater benefit or be
> harmed by the use of the aquarium salt?
>
> Any and all comments are welcome and appreciated. Thanks.
>
> Kevin

IMO you do not have any fish which would significantly benefit from the
addition of salt. IMHO, you would be better off keeping their water
parameters stable and closer to your source water by doing regular
partial water changes. If you begin adding salt (which is justifiable
for goldfish, livebearers esp. mollies and brackish water fishes), then
you will need to always continue to replenish the salt lost when you
remove water. It's better (JMO) to put your efforts into keeping stable
water conditions. If you are still convinced that you need to add salt,
then beware that your fish species are all salt intolerant, (coming from
rain and snow fed rivers), so keep your dosages low.

NetMax
 >> Stay informed about: aquarium salt - can I use it?? 

Donald Kerns <kernsdSPAMLIGHTNINGROD.DeleteThis@aol.com> wrote in message news:<beacfi1ccv.DeleteThis@enews4.newsguy.com>...
> K. Elliot wrote:
>
> > The current
> > inhabitants are as follows:
> > - otto (one)
>
> In the words of a popular catfish site...
>
> "solo oto? oh no!"
>
> They would... really... really... really... want groups of three or
> more.
>
> -D

Yes, I know....I had three originally but two died very early
on.....and I have not yet had a chance to add more. I hear they are
fairly hard to keep around. My water parameters seem to be
okay....0-.5 PPM ammonia, 0 nitrites, 20-30 nitrates, ph - 7, kh - 3
to 4 PPM.
 >> Stay informed about: aquarium salt - can I use it?? 

"Mr.Nice." <mr.nice DeleteThis @clara.co.uk> wrote in message
news:b9figv0loi2mtcrqrgdridslni9feinje7@4ax.com...
> Twas 6 Jul 2003 15:05:34 -0700 when kevinelliot DeleteThis @hotmail.com (K.
> Elliot) put finger to keyboard producing:
>
> >Please forgive my ignorance on the topic, but I am wondering if I can
> >use aquarium salt in my 55 gallon freshwater aquarium. The current
> >inhabitants are as follows:
> > - otto (one)
> > - Clown Pl*co (one)
> > - Yoyo Botia or Pakistani Loach (three)
> > - Bleeding Heart Tetra (five)
> >
<snip>
> >Kevin
>
> My tetras (including bleeding hearts) and sailfin plecs tolerate salt
> well.
>
> --
> Regards.
> Mark.(AKA, Mr.Nice.)

Can you specify the dosage you use?
thanks
NetMax
 >> Stay informed about: aquarium salt - can I use it?? 

"K. Elliot" <kevinelliot RemoveThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:645d3de1.0307061405.5c62be42@posting.google.com...
> Please forgive my ignorance on the topic, but I am wondering if I can
> use aquarium salt in my 55 gallon freshwater aquarium. The current
> inhabitants are as follows:
> - otto (one)
> - Clown Pl*co (one)
> - Yoyo Botia or Pakistani Loach (three)
> - Bleeding Heart Tetra (five)
>
> I have read that the Tetras will benefit from having a bit of the
> aquarium salt added but am worried about the Yoyo botias, Pl*co and
> Otto and what effect the addition of salt will have on them.
>
> Also, I have a gold algae eater in a separate 10 gallon freshwater
> tank with some cardinal tetras, would the algae eater benefit or be
> harmed by the use of the aquarium salt?
>
> Any and all comments are welcome and appreciated. Thanks.
>
> Kevin

Hi Kevin,

I have 3 YoYo Loaches and 3 Clown Loaches in with my mollies and I use
Instant Ocean in the tank, my loaches don't seem to mind it. I use 1
Tablespoon per 10 gallons in my 55 and only replace the salt every other
weekly water change. As you may know, salt doesn't deplete when water
evaporates, the only way to remove it is by doing water changes. I use a
hydrometer to measure the salinity and keep the readings between 1.005-1.010
(for brackish conditions).

Tell me, why do you wish to use salt? I've always used it for my mollies,
but can't understand why you'd need to use it (based on the type of fish
you're keeping). Are you trying to treat a sick fish?

Hope This Helps!
 >> Stay informed about: aquarium salt - can I use it?? 

"Earl D Fitzgerald" <fishboy634.TakeThisOut@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:bef4kd$9kc$1@news01.intel.com...
> How do you prevent the level of salt in the tank from becoming toxic?
Each
> water change only dilutes the salt level so that if you add the same
amount
> each time the salinity will slowly increase over time.
>
> Just curious...
>
> Fishboy
>
You don't add the amount of salt for the whole tank, just the volume of
fresh water added. Specific gravity will remain the same.
levittd
 >> Stay informed about: aquarium salt - can I use it?? 

Actually the salinity levels would still rise slowly over time unless you
tap off the tank before each water change. Otherwise the evaporation of the
water would make the tank water salty with the water change being slightly
less salty.

I believe adding salt to tanks can be a slippery slope...

Fishboy

"levittd" <levittd RemoveThis @shaw.ca> wrote in message
news:C6FOa.416020$Vi5.10748272@news1.calgary.shaw.ca...
>
> "Earl D Fitzgerald" <fishboy634 RemoveThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:bef4kd$9kc$1@news01.intel.com...
> > How do you prevent the level of salt in the tank from becoming toxic?
> Each
> > water change only dilutes the salt level so that if you add the same
> amount
> > each time the salinity will slowly increase over time.
> >
> > Just curious...
> >
> > Fishboy
> >
> You don't add the amount of salt for the whole tank, just the volume of
> fresh water added. Specific gravity will remain the same.
> levittd
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: aquarium salt - can I use it?? 

We also have a Live Bait shop and the system I use to keep bait minnows in
uses 4 cups of salt per 120 Gallons of water. I have eliminated the ich and
fungus in the bait tank. I put 1 cup of salt in my freshwater game fish
tank and the fungus and ich have left completely. Happy medium in "MY CASE"
is just enough salt so that it doesn't build up on the dry surfaces of the
tanks.
{BTW} I use "Extra Course Water Softener Salt" with "NO" additives. Cheaper
than Instant ocean, but you have to buy 50# at a time. Still Cheaper!

JOhn :-)


"K. Elliot" <kevinelliot.DeleteThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:645d3de1.0307070429.77e7308b@posting.google.com...
> Donald Kerns <kernsdSPAMLIGHTNINGROD.DeleteThis@aol.com> wrote in message
news:<beacfi1ccv.DeleteThis@enews4.newsguy.com>...
> > K. Elliot wrote:
> >
> > > The current
> > > inhabitants are as follows:
> > > - otto (one)
> >
> > In the words of a popular catfish site...
> >
> > "solo oto? oh no!"
> >
> > They would... really... really... really... want groups of three or
> > more.
> >
> > -D
>
> Yes, I know....I had three originally but two died very early
> on.....and I have not yet had a chance to add more. I hear they are
> fairly hard to keep around. My water parameters seem to be
> okay....0-.5 PPM ammonia, 0 nitrites, 20-30 nitrates, ph - 7, kh - 3
> to 4 PPM.
 >> Stay informed about: aquarium salt - can I use it?? 

On Tue, 8 Jul 2003 11:14:13 -0700, Earl D Fitzgerald
<fishboy634.RemoveThis@hotmail.com> wrote:
>How do you prevent the level of salt in the tank from becoming toxic? Each
>water change only dilutes the salt level so that if you add the same amount
>each time the salinity will slowly increase over time.

You add the amount for the water you've replaced in a water change,
but you *don't* add salt to water topups to replace evaporated water.

That way the water level stays the same and the salt level is fairly
constant.



--
Flash Wilson flash.RemoveThis@gorge.org
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Bother. Must not drink tequila before midnight on a weeknight.
 >> Stay informed about: aquarium salt - can I use it?? 

This is essentially correct. Even if you only add the quantity of salt
corresponding to the water change performed, the saline concentration in
the water being removed is slightly higher due to evaporation decreasing
its dilution. You will also notice that there will be salt flakes
coating the underside of your canopy/glass cover. This precipitate works
in the opposite direction lowering the salt concentration over time
(until you pick it off back into the water because it looks awful ;~).
If the exact quantity of salt in the water was critical, our fish would
be in big trouble. Fortunately they regulate the amount of salt which
enters their bloodstream, so it's not a short term concern if we avoid
extremes.

FWIW, I let my salt concentration drop to near zero (through gravel
vacuuming and automated water changes), and then I unceremoniously drop
about 1/2 cup per 60g. I do this about twice a month, but I'm on an
industrial level (my water changer does 400g a day ;~). What's notable
is the fishes complete indifference to the salt level going from zero to
the level I use.

I avoid the 'slippery slope' by always letting the salt concentration
drop back down to zero, and then resetting it upwards. This works for
me, in a commercial application. I'm not suggesting that this be done
with home aquariums, but at least it gives you some idea of the fish's
apparent lack of susceptibility to varying amounts of _low_
concentrations of salt.

NetMax

"Earl D Fitzgerald" <fishboy634.RemoveThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:befc6b$d2i$1@news01.intel.com...
> Actually the salinity levels would still rise slowly over time unless
you
> tap off the tank before each water change. Otherwise the evaporation
of the
> water would make the tank water salty with the water change being
slightly
> less salty.
>
> I believe adding salt to tanks can be a slippery slope...
>
> Fishboy
>
> "levittd" <levittd.RemoveThis@shaw.ca> wrote in message
> news:C6FOa.416020$Vi5.10748272@news1.calgary.shaw.ca...
> >
> > "Earl D Fitzgerald" <fishboy634.RemoveThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> > news:bef4kd$9kc$1@news01.intel.com...
> > > How do you prevent the level of salt in the tank from becoming
toxic?
> > Each
> > > water change only dilutes the salt level so that if you add the
same
> > amount
> > > each time the salinity will slowly increase over time.
> > >
> > > Just curious...
> > >
> > > Fishboy
> > >
> > You don't add the amount of salt for the whole tank, just the volume
of
> > fresh water added. Specific gravity will remain the same.
> > levittd
> >
> >
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: aquarium salt - can I use it?? 

I guess my main concern is with the local Pet "notso" Smart pratice of
adding salt crystals to thier tanks. If you have seen this system it is a
shared water system such the added salt effects the entire system over time.
Having been able to watch a store from the first day to several years later
I have seen a problem with salt build up to almost toxic levels.

Hence I buy fish only to see them go into shock with my unsalted water... I
begin to wonder how many home tanks have high salt levels that cause the
deaths of newly introduced fish.

So I guess that if you decide to salt... be careful to following a standard
procedure to prevent salt build up.

Just my two cents,


Fishboy


"NetMax" <computeraliascomputeralias.DeleteThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:EZVOa.7735$Ag6.449302@news20.bellglobal.com...
> This is essentially correct. Even if you only add the quantity of salt
> corresponding to the water change performed, the saline concentration in
> the water being removed is slightly higher due to evaporation decreasing
> its dilution. You will also notice that there will be salt flakes
> coating the underside of your canopy/glass cover. This precipitate works
> in the opposite direction lowering the salt concentration over time
> (until you pick it off back into the water because it looks awful ;~).
> If the exact quantity of salt in the water was critical, our fish would
> be in big trouble. Fortunately they regulate the amount of salt which
> enters their bloodstream, so it's not a short term concern if we avoid
> extremes.
>
> FWIW, I let my salt concentration drop to near zero (through gravel
> vacuuming and automated water changes), and then I unceremoniously drop
> about 1/2 cup per 60g. I do this about twice a month, but I'm on an
> industrial level (my water changer does 400g a day ;~). What's notable
> is the fishes complete indifference to the salt level going from zero to
> the level I use.
>
> I avoid the 'slippery slope' by always letting the salt concentration
> drop back down to zero, and then resetting it upwards. This works for
> me, in a commercial application. I'm not suggesting that this be done
> with home aquariums, but at least it gives you some idea of the fish's
> apparent lack of susceptibility to varying amounts of _low_
> concentrations of salt.
>
> NetMax
>
> "Earl D Fitzgerald" <fishboy634.DeleteThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:befc6b$d2i$1@news01.intel.com...
> > Actually the salinity levels would still rise slowly over time unless
> you
> > tap off the tank before each water change. Otherwise the evaporation
> of the
> > water would make the tank water salty with the water change being
> slightly
> > less salty.
> >
> > I believe adding salt to tanks can be a slippery slope...
> >
> > Fishboy
> >
> > "levittd" <levittd.DeleteThis@shaw.ca> wrote in message
> > news:C6FOa.416020$Vi5.10748272@news1.calgary.shaw.ca...
> > >
> > > "Earl D Fitzgerald" <fishboy634.DeleteThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> > > news:bef4kd$9kc$1@news01.intel.com...
> > > > How do you prevent the level of salt in the tank from becoming
> toxic?
> > > Each
> > > > water change only dilutes the salt level so that if you add the
> same
> > > amount
> > > > each time the salinity will slowly increase over time.
> > > >
> > > > Just curious...
> > > >
> > > > Fishboy
> > > >
> > > You don't add the amount of salt for the whole tank, just the volume
> of
> > > fresh water added. Specific gravity will remain the same.
> > > levittd
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: aquarium salt - can I use it?? 

"NetMax" <computeraliascomputeralias.TakeThisOut@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:EZVOa.7735$Ag6.449302@news20.bellglobal.com...
> Even if you only add the quantity of salt
> corresponding to the water change performed, the saline concentration in
> the water being removed is slightly higher due to evaporation decreasing
> its dilution.

I was assuming freshwater top-ups. Should that not keep the solution the
same?
levittd
 >> Stay informed about: aquarium salt - can I use it?? 

"levittd" <levittd.DeleteThis@shaw.ca> wrote in message
news:h3ZOa.396638$ro6.9634215@news2.calgary.shaw.ca...
>
> "NetMax" <computeraliascomputeralias.DeleteThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:EZVOa.7735$Ag6.449302@news20.bellglobal.com...
> > Even if you only add the quantity of salt
> > corresponding to the water change performed, the saline concentration
in
> > the water being removed is slightly higher due to evaporation
decreasing
> > its dilution.
>
> I was assuming freshwater top-ups. Should that not keep the solution
the
> same?
> levittd

If you topped up with freshwater, then did your water change, and then
added salt to correspond with the amount of the water change, then you
will approximate a steady state. Salt does come out in other methods
(dead fish, plant matter removed, driftwood absorption, filter washing
etc) but it's probably insignificant. It still seems like a lot of work,
but everyone has a recipe, and when a recipe works....... ;~)

NetMax
 >> Stay informed about: aquarium salt - can I use it??