Aquarium salt?

[cocoloco]

How often are you supposed to use the aquarium salt? Is it only when you set up a new tank? Or, with every water change? Can you use epsom salt, or only the "aquarium salt"? I know I cannot use table salt, it is different.

Thanks,
Andrea

 

[JesseJ]

Salt doesn't have to be in your tank at all times. Some people add it and some don't. I personnally do and I feel that the fish are happier with a bit of it in but I know many people who have just as much success never using it.

If you do use it you would add it for the total volume of the tank when you set up. When doing a water change only add enough salt for the amount of water you have taken out. When replacing water lost to evaporation don't add any salt because it is left behind the water leaves.

 

[RTR]

http://www.aaquaria.com/aquasource/salt.shtml

HTH

 

[RHJ]

How often are you supposed to use the aquarium salt?

Always... when you have a marine or brackish tank. What fish are you keeping?
The debate on the use of salt in a freshwater aquarium is endless. I never add salt to my freshwater tanks, except for the one time I used it to treat the parasite ich. Table salt is fine to add, you were misinformed when someone told you that. Kosher salt, rock salt, or non-iodized salt is better. Some aquarium salts contain trace elements that will increase the PH and/or hardness of your water, not something I would recommend. I suggest you do not add any salt until you know WHY you are adding it. There are many articles on the web, do a search and read some if you really want to understand the use/affects of salt.

 

[cocoloco]

Thanks a lot everyone for your comments. I now understand the use of salt in the freshwater aquarium and when to use it. And thanks for the link. Really helpful.

Thanks,
Andrea