Aquarium Salt?

Petsmart and Petco use salt in their tanks. The Petco I had in Maryland used salt in all their tanks - display tanks and the tanks that the fish to be sold were in. I would here the sales associates tell new buyers to buy the aquarium salt becuase they need to have salt in their tanks. They only time I have ever put salt in my 55 gallon was when I had an ick breakout. As soon as the ick and waiting period were over, the salt was slowly gotten rid of through water changes.
 
Thanks for the replies. Like posted above..it is a Petsmart store and the salesperson told me that they use salt in all their tanks. I am very unfamiliar with the names of the fish as I am just starting but I am going today to get my first three fish and I will get the names of a few of them and post. I know that I liked several of them. I will post the names when I get back and thanks again.

Buck
 
When you get the fish home, you need to take special care in acclimating them to your tank if you are not using salt. Acclimation should be done extremely slow..

Blue
 
Rippinlip said:
Thanks for the replies. Like posted above..it is a Petsmart store and the salesperson told me that they use salt in all their tanks. I am very unfamiliar with the names of the fish as I am just starting but I am going today to get my first three fish and I will get the names of a few of them and post. I know that I liked several of them. I will post the names when I get back and thanks again.

Buck

I've used the API Aquarium Salt -- it's just regular old salt with no additives. Supposedly it helps the fish during stressful conditions and being moved from the store to your home tank is a stressful condition. PetSmart would be wise to recommend anything that would increase the chances that their (now your) fish survive after you take them home (14 day ill/death return policy.) I've also read that it can help counteract the effects of nitrites in the tank.

Here's the product literature:

Product Description
During disease and stress, healthy gill function is disturbed. This can lead to the loss of electrolytes through the gills. This reduces the intake of oxygen and release of carbon dioxide from the fish. Aquarium Salt reduces electrolyte loss and promotes gill function. Use with remedies to improve disease recovery. Directions For Use: Important Note--Aquarium Salt does not evaporate, is not filtered out, and can be added as directed with a water change. General Tonic and Stress Reducer: Add one rounded tablespoon for each five gallons of aquarium water. Tropical Fish Treatment or With A Remedy: Add one rounded tablespoonful for each five gallons of aquarium water. Water temperature of 80 degress (F) during treatment is recommended. To Hatch Brine Shrimp Eggs: Add eight tablespoons for each gallon of water. Goldfish Bowls: Add 1/2 teaspoon per gallon of water.
 
there is a reason the fish are called freshwater, and not, "not really brackish or marine fish because their water doesnt need marine salt, but they need aquairum salt" fish.
yes i know, there is an ammount of salt in ALL water, but in the amazon river, its some insane decimal of a girain of salt per gallon. the fish are getting enough before you put any in... that insanly tiny decimal ammount (unless of course you are treating for ich).

as for the iodized salt thing; the FRESHwater fish would die from high salt levels before they died from iodine levels.

ive heard at one petstore right from the persons mouth that you can go home drop in the fish right out of the bag, water and all... if you add some Aquarium salt (ugh yea right. like Blueiz said, it needs to be a slow process). their fish only have a 24 hour garantee that they strictly enforce... i wonder why. but since then they have gone closed. oh well
 
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