salt in fresh water aquarium

[Slappy*McFish]

http://www.skepticalaquarist.com/docs/health/salt.shtml

http://theaquariumwiki.com/The_Salt_of_the_Earth

 

[Star_Rider]

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.

they do this to add on sales.. adding salt to a tank really has little effect on parasites that may hitch a ride on the fish.
QT is a much better idea for new fish to reduce infection that may be brought in by new tank mates.

 

[Turbosaurus]

Since this question is specific to a blackwater habitat- DO NOT salt the water.
A blackwater river or stream is typically very very low ion content. They are high in disolved organic compounds and low in inorganic ions.

 

[Ayson]

I had white spot in my tank and salt at concentration of 1tsp/l (1tbsp/ gal) did nothing. Salt may help healing or constipation, but i doubt it is useful against parasites.

 

[KarlTh]

I had white spot in my tank and salt at concentration of 1tsp/l (1tbsp/ gal) did nothing. Salt may help healing or constipation, but i doubt it is useful against parasites.

Your experience contradicts most peoples' who find salt very effective against ich. It may be that you had a particularly resistant strain, or that you misdiagnosed.

 

[KarlTh]

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

They do. And they need marine salt, not this "aquarium salt" con.

 

[Kevin S.]

Since this question is specific to a blackwater habitat- DO NOT salt the water.
A blackwater river or stream is typically very very low ion content. They are high in disolved organic compounds and low in inorganic ions.

Correct.