swords3711

Many say it is bad to have salt in a community tank, but I have proof that it is okay. I have a 35g tank with tetras and livebearers. When I switched the tank from goldfish, I continued applying salt in my water changes. The fish were never affected even the supposed hard to raise silver tip tets. When I was warned that I may lose fish because of the salt, I didn't put salt in my next water change. That week two died. The next week I put more salt in and didn't lose any.

So I always here how bad salt is to have. In my opinion, there isn't any problem having it in there no matter what fish.

fishgirl

Why do you feel that you HAVE to have salt in the water?
Why did you start with the salt when you went with a community tank?
I'm Sorry you lost two of you fish.
How often do you do water changes and how much salt do you add?

sgould

Ok...so here is the counter view...

Putting salt in a freshwater tank irritates the fish and thereby causes an increase in mucus (slime coat) production. Although there are times you may want to encourage slime coat production, such as when treating some diseases, the use of salt to do so is basically causing the fish 1 discomfort in order to combat another. One article I read compared it to squirting lemon juice in your eye in order to relieve a dry eye. Your eye won't be dry anymore, but it hurts like heck! In any event, it is neither good nor necessary to put salt in a freshwater tank, and it should never be used with scaleless fish or with plants.

Butterfly

Salt can also cause enough excess slime production as to cover parasites and keep the parasites from being killed.
Epsom salts is used to treat dropsy quite frequently and successfully also I might add.
BUT... Epsom Salts isn't salt it is Magnesium Sulfate it only LOOKS like salt.
Carol