Is aquarium salt safe to use with Bettas?

Jspigs

Jspigs

There is always more to learn
Aug 5, 2009
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Jacob
Is aquarium salt safe to use with Bettas?

I need to know this because my Betta has what I suspect to be fin rot due to nitrite poisoning.

Also can salt help him? if so how much do I add to a 2.5 gallon tank?

I do know to dissolve the salt in a separate container before adding it to the tank.
 
Unfortunately I did not know anything about cycling when I bought my tank/Betta and my lfs did not mention cycling to me so now I am stuck in a fish-in cycle. My liquid nitrite test kit showed that I had between 1 and 2 ppm of nitrite. I KNOW THIS IS WAY TO HIGH. I have done two water changes today and I plan on doing more the aquarium salt would be in addition to the water changes.

Back on topic I have heard aquarium salt can lower nitrites toxicity. Would aquarium salt be safe to use with Bettas? if so how much do I add for a 2.5 gallon tank?

P.S. the test was taken before I did the water changes.
 
Yes. Any NaCl salt will do; you don't need aquarium salt. The rate is 1/2 tsp per 10 gallons, so you're looking at 1/8 tsp.
 
The problem with using chloride salts is that you need a specific ratio of Cl:NO2...I want to say its something along the lines of 3:1. So when nitrite levels go up, you need to add more salt to compensate...its a slippery slope.

Your best bet is to keep doing water changes so that both ammonia and nitrite stay below .25 ppm.
 
jpappy, I am doing water changes. The problem is my fish was fine before I went to school and then when I got home from school his fins were disintegrating so I need something to: a. help his fins and b. provide some protection when I'm at school and can't do water changes.
 
Unfortunately I panicked when I saw how my Bettas fins looked and I only thought to get a nitrite reading. I will do a test right now.
 
Ammonia: less than .25

Nitrite: 1.0!

I'm going to do another water change right now!

P.S. The tests I use are all API liquid test kits.
 
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