seasalt/plants?

[Lady G]

So, I'm setting up a African Cichlid tank...now I know plants will be difficult and I've been reading quite a bit about it, because I really want plants. I am planning just some Anubias and Java fern because their leaves are thicker and less likely to be eaten by the fish. Now in some of the tips I have read about keeping plants in a AC tank, I have come across one that really confused me...it says to add 1tsp/8gal of sea salt/water? Wouldn't that harm the plants...has anyone heard of this or done it?

Thanks in advance...G

 

[DAVIDFBT]

It's probably the same thing as "salt added to your water will prevent sicknesses of your fish." Save the salt for a case of ich.

 

[Lady G]

It sounded odd to me too! He/she not sure who wrote it says it isn't like the salt for meds treatment...here....here is the article I was reading that talked about it. I think I'll follow the other advice but leave that part out.

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/plants_101.php

 

[vampie]

If I'm reading the article correctly, it says the salt is provide the plants with trace elements? Such a small amount of salt isn't going to hurt anything, but it seems rather unnecessary.

 

[Lady G]

Yes, Vamp..that is the way I took it too. I think I'll just stick to some ferts like seachem flourish or flourish excel. The other part I think I'll not follow is the recommended use of Algae Fix.

 

[DAVIDFBT]

I think that the ferts, substrate and fish poo will give the plants all the trace elements it needs.

 

[J double R]

if you must add salt to the tank, get yourself some cichlid salts made for the occasion. rift lake cichlids do not live in the ocean, thus they should have sea salt in their tanks.

 

[Lady G]

Yes, Jon...I realize that, that is another reason I was wondering...but the article said to use the sea salt because of the nutrients in it or something. I really do not think I will be doing it, just wondered if anyone had heard of it or does it really.

 

[jaylin]

I actually think the advice to use sea salt is off base. The chemistry of the African rift lakes is nowhere near that of sea water when it comes to what trace elements are present and in what ratios. The rift lakes are not brackish. As for parasite treatments, it's better to use aquarium salt than sea salt for that also.

So anyway, I think it's misguided advice in the first place and wouldn't worry about it. From what I've read about your plans for the tank, I think you're right on target for having a healthy environment for you AC's.

 

[KarlTh]

As for parasite treatments, it's better to use aquarium salt than sea salt for that also.

Why would you say that? It's the NaCl which is effective against parasites, and the cheapest way to get that is table salt, certainly not the overpriced "aquarium salt" - the composition of which they don't and won't tell you. I know there're a few myths about the additives in table salt (anti-caking agents, potassium iodide) being harmful, but they're just that - myths.