salt in fresh water aquarium

[dennymcc]

im starting up a 55gal black water aquarium. in some of my research on it, i came across a online store that recomends using aquarium salt. in a tapering does. for a 60 gal aquarium youstart with 2 cups of aquarium salt then decrease every water change. the schedual is based on a 20% water change every 3rd week, and as follows
60 gal
week 1: 2cups
week 3: 1 cup
week 6: 1/2 cup
week 9: 1/4 cup
week 12: none
week 15 start over with 2cups and tapper as above
then it also says for freshwater snails and crusteceans 1 teaspoon per month skipping every 4th.
i was wondering what you guys thought of this. i tryed seaching the forums for anything on it, but couldnt find anything
thanks in advance for any help or suggestions
Denny

 

[Star_Rider]

Blackwater as in Amazon Biotope?

unsure if aquarium salt is needed in a tank where salt would probably not be present in any significant amounts.
Blackwater , typically, refers to tannin stained water caused from acidic water in the amazon. this aids in leeching tannin from dead/decaying wood, leaves, etc which turns the water dark in color(tea stained).

I do not understand what the point is to adding aquarium salt to a blackwater biotope.

salt (NaCl) in a freshwater is usually not necessary.

 

[dennymcc]

yea thats what i was thinking. ill be filtering through peat to get my tannins. i just read this and thought id see what you guy thought about it

 

[Star_Rider]

yup, skip salt and filter thru peat

 

[smaug67]

Salt is for fish sticks and tater tots.The use of salt is not neccasary in fw ,not even for medication.

 

[medicthree]

Salt is for fish sticks and tater tots.The use of salt is not neccasary in fw ,not even for medication.

Salt CAN be a useful medication, especially for treating ICH.

 

[IslandHopper]

Salt CAN be a useful medication, especially for treating ICH.

Which is probably why many pet stores and such recommend salting the water when you add new fish... the salt DOES kill off some of the parasites that could hitch a ride in with the new fish.

It certainly isn't NECESSARY though if you don't have any reason to suspect you've an infectious parasite in the tank.

 

[odinthejd]

I don't put any salt in my tank...

 

[conbrio]

I have always heard that some fish, Mollies for example, like some salt in the tank.

 

[santiago]

I have always heard that some fish, Mollies for example, like some salt in the tank.

Mollies can live in either saltwater, brackish and freshwater tanks, Guppies can live in brackish water too and you can acclimatize them to saltwater.