Salt and clean up crew...

G

goldieloach

AC Members
Sep 5, 2004
8
0
0
Michigan
Hi,
I lurk here, but thought I would check in with a question...

DH and I have had tanks for years and are involved with MANY different types of plecos. (DH Recently acquired Zebra's they are in quarantine!!)

I am involved in a discussion about appropriate choices for a tank that has 2 tsp/gal of salt added to it regularly without monitoring of levels. This is NOT one of our tanks. The owner had added a pleco for cleanup and it died within hours, :thud: no surprise given the salinity level. I have explained about scaleless fish, their sensitivity to water conditions, and asked them to research the decision they have made to regularly add salt. In addition I would like to be able to intelligently recommend some sort of clean up crew that would be appropriate (live AND thrive) in this tanks water params.

Any suggestions or information would be appreciated!

Thanks in advance, Kit
 
I try to avoid salt whenever possible when I am dealing with loaches, plecos, and any other cats for that matter. I wouldn't put more than 1 tablespoon of salt per 10gal with them. Salt isn't something you need to add regularly either, the only way it leaves is with water changes.
 
I agree--there won't be many fish that will thrive in those conditions. By constantly adding salt, the salinity will be spiking. Even in SW tanks, this would be lethal to the inhabitants. In a FW or BW setup, it's going to cause serious issues.

If they insist on adding salt, please encourage to get a good refractometer (hydrometers won't be sensitive enough for low levels, though it doesn't sound like low levels exist here!) so they at least know what their conditions are. New fish could be acclimated to their water successfully, if they are willing to make the effort. I've taken my tank up to 2 tablespoon per gallon previously, with no problems for the bristlenose, pulcher, or sharks--but I would not keep a FW tank like this for more than treatments!
 
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