sjlchgo

I am wondering about the use of aquarium salt. I have searched the forums and haven't found a defenative answer. When doing water changes do you add salt(for the amount of water you are changing) each time? Does this cause a build up in salt? How does salt effect aquarium plants?

Dino

Some people use salt to supposedly help their fish.
What it really does is cause the slime coat to go into overdrive as salt is an irritant to freshwater fish.
If you choose to use it, you must replace it with each waterchange.
Most plants don't care/need it either.

Peterpiper

In a Aquarium it is important to keep your SG at the correct level.
When doing a water change, the water should be mixed at least 24hrs before doing the water change. Check the PH & SG in your tank, if the levels are good then check the levels in new water ( after 24hr mix ). once the levels match the levels in the tank you can do the water change. A heater, small powerhead and air stone should be used to mix the new water for 24hrs min.
If you are doing a topup to your tank due to evaperation you would NOT mix salt, as the salt in does not evaperate with the water.

sgould

As a general rule, IMO, there is really no need to add salt to a freshwater aquarium. If the fish have been stressed and you are concerned about loss of stress coat, that might be a reason for short term use, but salting just for the sake of salting is not really necessary.

Butterfly

Adding salt to a freshwater tank just to be adding it is just one more parameter to keep balanced. As water evaporates(even a little evaporation) the salinity will go up this can be disasterous for your fish. Certain fish are very uncomfortable with any salt. (plecs, Corydoras).
Carol

sjlchgo

Thanks! Getting rid of the salt.