Ok here I go, I have a brand new 40 gal freshwater tank. I got some conditioning salts too and the only directions I got on the bag is that 1 level teaspoon for every gallon (4.5 litres) of water, 1 level tablespoon for every gallon (13.5 litres) of water. I feel dumb now but does this mean that I have to put 40 tablespoon into the water??? Isn't that too much?
How many Salts?
- Thread starter Aquanote
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That seems really high, normally it is 1 tablespoon per 10 gallons (from the API I use). Salt doesn't need to be used often unless you have fish who absolutely need it, if you are treating for a medication use some and I like to add a pinch when I add some new fish to the tank just for stress purposes. Now the big thing here is to not over use it. You can add some after a water change, but only add salt for the amount of water going back into the tank.
Hope that helps.
Hope that helps.
Probably misread/misprint
. It should most likely be 1 level table for every 3 gallons.Keep in mind that there is difference b/n US gallon vs. UK gallon. If 1 gal = 4.5 L, it is based on UK gallon as US 1 gal = 3.8 L.
you don't need to use the salt in a FW set up. I have never added salt to any FW tank I have ever had and not had any issues.
I bunked in 2 more tablespoons and I think it should be alright. The water turned beautifully aqua in colour. Thank you for helping 
)
)I bunked in 2 more tablespoons and I think it should be alright. The water turned beautifully aqua in colour. Thank you for helping
That should be all you need for some time.
There's a misconception about aquarium salt being needed by presumably brackish water fish. It comes up all the time with livebearers like guppies and mollies. True, mollies and guppies are found in estuaries and sometimes even full marine conditions, but one thing that seems to be forgotten is that they are found in full freshwater environments as well. I know this from personal experience.
It's been said 'mollies like a little salt'. Even if this is correct, aquarium salt does not replicate marine conditions, it replicates marinade conditions
So if you add salt for your livebearers (I don't, and I keep ALOT of livebearers), at least use marine salt.
It's been said 'mollies like a little salt'. Even if this is correct, aquarium salt does not replicate marine conditions, it replicates marinade conditions
So if you add salt for your livebearers (I don't, and I keep ALOT of livebearers), at least use marine salt.