The guy at my LFS said to put table salt in my tank.

[Mrs. Burns]

Seriously?? What salt do you use?

I use Mortons and it has salt and calcium silicate. thats it nothing else. Its also without iodide.

I always wondered about using garlic salt as the garlic salt is the only ingredient listed and smells good.

Mortons table salt is the kind I have. So are you saying that the salt is safe and I should add it?

 

[sumthin fishy]

Well you can use table salt as a treatment, say, for ich. Short term. Its not good for the fish to be in long term. Most of the other ingredients are negligable, especially when considering the low level of salt used. I belive the salt level in the ich treatment is .05% give or take. As was pointed out, you can reduce the fish' stress by testing your water and keeping your ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates down. See sticky on cycling linked above.

 

[IceH2O]

I don't see a reason to unless water changes fail to keep your nitrites under .5 ppm.

You'll need a test kit, preferably AP Master Test Kit, to watch the Ammonia, nitrites and nitrates.

 

[RockabillyChick]

if you do ever need to use salt for medication, go to a health food store and get some bulk sea salt. its just pure salt. no anti-clumping agents, no iodide, nothing but good old salt. and because its bulk, its pretty cheap.

 

[YuccaPatrol]

"Rock Salt" used for ice cream is also good. I use it for hatching brine shrimp and would use it for medicating my tank.

 

[Mrs. Burns]

Thank you all for the quick responses!!!

 

[aquarob]

Salt improves gill function in small concentration, so I usually add a tsp per 5g of water change, just as a general tonic. I use either rock salt for ice cream making or stuff labled aquarium salt. both are cheap and easy to locate. my 2c.

 

[TheMightyQueenPixie]

if you do ever need to use salt for medication, go to a health food store and get some bulk sea salt. its just pure salt. no anti-clumping agents, no iodide, nothing but good old salt. and because its bulk, its pretty cheap.

That is what I use also... 33 cents a pound at the bulk food store...

 

[nursie]

Salt improves gill function in small concentration, .

Just curious..where did you hear that?? I've got a neighbor who tried to tell me how horrible salt was for fish...well guess who's fish got salt treatment for ich and lived (mine) and who's got meds and all died (hers). I'd love some other positive salt info.

 

[sumthin fishy]

Salt improves gill function in small concentration,

While I agree with nursies post, what is wrong with your fishs' gills that it requires the use of salt as a staple in your water?