View Full Version : question about aquarium salt.
i have a small oscar, and a few small convicts, the tank has been running for a few weeks now, should i add aquarium salt? any info on this would be great.
somefinnfishy
04-07-2003, 5:58 PM
I,ve been useing softener salt 99.98 pure in my livebearer tanks and at work in the gold fish tanks as well but not the oscars or any ciclids.Others will answer this one.
VoodooChild
04-07-2003, 6:15 PM
I use Instant Ocean that I use for my SW (standard aquarium salt is fine) for my Amazon tank. This is just because of the R.O. that I use is too de-mineralized. For my Malawi tank my water is hard enough that I don't bother. It's good to have around though incase of fungal infections or an ich outbreak. You can't go wrong with non-expirable $2 medication.
http://www.aaquaria.com/aquasource/salt.shtml
HTH
VoodooChild
04-07-2003, 6:37 PM
I'll be damned. That's good stuff RTR and I stand corrected.
thanx alot guys im adding salt now. i think i will still add it slowly though. maybe half today and half in a few days. thanx alot. :)
wetmanNY
04-07-2003, 7:44 PM
Are you killing ectoparasites, caz? That's a good use for common salt, sodium chloride.
So, why are you calling it "aquarium salt?" Does it come from the aquarium?
How is it different from, say "pasta salt" or "Caesar salad salt"?
Would this salt be "easing osmotic stress" by any chance? Or is it "promoting gill function" ? Or is it to to "speed healing" ?
Tetratastic
04-07-2003, 7:49 PM
Originally posted by wetmanNY
Are you killing ectoparasites, caz? That's a good use for common salt, sodium chloride.
So, why are you calling it "aquarium salt?" Does it come from the aquarium?
How is it different from, say "pasta salt" or "Caesar salad salt"?
Would this salt be "easing osmotic stress" by any chance? Or is it "promoting gill function" ? Or is it to to "speed healing" ?
My understanding is that aquarium salt has no additives, like regular table salt contains iodine to prevent goiters in humans, but could possibly harm fish.
There is no restriction or regulation of "aquarium salt", nor any requirement for proper analysis or labeling with the ingredients.
rdelbalso
04-08-2003, 1:49 AM
The skeptical aquarist has a good section on salt if you're interested. It also goes into some of the differences between different kinds. It is under the "Health/diseases" section labeled "Using salt"
VoodooChild
04-08-2003, 9:03 AM
By aquarium salt I meant the Dr. Wellfish or whatever brand your LFS carries rock salt in a carton.
Tachometer
04-08-2003, 5:54 PM
I'm betting that if you go to your local grocery store and buy some good old Kosher Salt it would be a HECK of a lot cheaper than the "aquarium salt" that a LFS would sell.
Kosher salt is nothing but Na and CL...no anti-clumping agents, no iodine.
Plus it's fantastic to cook with!
Tachometer
Kosher salt is not iodized, but does have anti-clumping agents.
Tachometer
04-08-2003, 9:20 PM
Lies, lies!!
No...wait...
Yellow Prussiate of Soda
Doh
My bad
Tachometer