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

Mrs. Burns

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Feb 6, 2006
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He said he was supposed to sell me that special salt, but table salt does the same thing. He sells alot of fish and has been in business for many years, but some people say not to use regular table salt. Can anyone tell me if I should trust him and put regular table salt???
 
what type of fish?

Unless its brakish water I see no reason for salt except as a medicating product.
 
for what did he say to use salt?
 
He said the salt would make any fish do better. My tank is new and I have 3 painted glass fish(I'm upset about this) And 3 male fancy guppies.
 
Hes right, Aquarium salt is usually just very coarse salt, crush it up and its table salt :rolleyes: Good way to make a buck. Now what are you using the salt for? Dont use it for anything other than a medication.

The reason people advise against table salt, is it does have things in it that are potentially bad for the fish, and, to loosly Quote RTR "the levels are so low the fish would be pickled in brine before it would have any effect on them."

Edit-Ok didnt see the other posts, You dont need salt for those fish.
And to clarify, brackish water is not sodium chloride/water.
 
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sumthin fishy said:
Hes right, Aquarium salt is usually just very coarse salt, crush it up and its table salt :rolleyes: Good way to make a buck. Now what are you using the salt for? Dont use it for anything other than a medication.

The reason people advise against table salt, is it does have things in it that are potentially bad for the fish, and, to loosly Quote RTR "the levels are so low the fish would be pickled in brine before it would have any effect on them."
He basically just told me to put salt in there to start my aquarium. I wasn't sure, so I have not done so yet. I wanted someone else's opinion first. Thanks for the quick responses!!!
 
Table salt is not pure sodium chloride. My package of table salt lists calcium silicate, invert sugar, and potassium iodide on the label as well.

As others have said, save the aquarium salt for if your fish need it.
 
Rosemary said:
Table salt is not pure sodium chloride. My package of table salt lists calcium silicate, invert sugar, and potassium iodide on the label as well.

As others have said, save the aquarium salt for if your fish need it.


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.
 
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