Aquarium Salt advice for fin rot

Just wondered if anyone out there had a successful experience with using aquarium salt for betta fin rot. The tank is cycled and all parameters are good. I don't need any advice on cycling, please. I'm fully aware and all my tanks are cycled. Anyway, I've treated my female betta with several different meds for fin rot, and then with 50% water changes every other day for a month. Nothing worked great, although it does seem to have finally slowed, but no new regrowth, and I'm getting a little worried, because it is close to her body. I don't want to try any more meds because I fear they are stressing her out. Has anyone used Aquarium Salt to aid in regrowth, and if so, how much did you use, how often did you change the water during the treatment, and how long did you treat? I have read numerous sites that all recommend different things, so I'd love to hear from actual people who've had success! Thanks in advance!


1 female betta-2 years old (adopted her as a baby) (no other tank mates)
5 gallon tank
Triple filtration & heated
Am-0, Ni-0, Na-0, pH-7.0
She is eating 5-6 pellets per day, just doesn't swim a ton, but she never has, and her colors are deep, so I'm hoping this all means she's feeling fairly well.

 

I would try adding in Indian almond leaves, very beneficial for bettas and are one of the first things I recommend for bettas with fin rot. Definitely no more meds, they could be stressing her out.

 

Do you always have almond leaves in with Bettas? Sorry OP for the break in!

 

I would try adding in Indian almond leaves, very beneficial for bettas and are one of the first things I recommend for bettas with fin rot. Definitely no more meds, they could be stressing her out.

I will have to order some online. My LFS doesn't have any. Is there a brand you recommend? And I totally agree about the meds. Seachem finally called me back today, and he agreed as well that more meds will just cause more stress. Thank you for the reply!

Do you always have almond leaves in with Bettas? Sorry OP for the break in!

Haha no worries! I'd like to know as well!

 

Do you always have almond leaves in with Bettas? Sorry OP for the break in!

I wish! No one in my house likes them besides me so I can only use them when a fish has a problem. If I could, then yeah I would. It would help prevent issues in the future and also Just keep the inhabitants healthy.

 

I wish! No one in my house likes them besides me so I can only use them when a fish has a problem. If I could, then yeah I would. It would help prevent issues in the future and also Just keep the inhabitants healthy.

Do they smell or something?

 

Do they smell or something?

I know they turn the water brownish. That's why I don't have them either. I love my crystal clear water. But I do hear very good things about them and will certainly consider them in the future.

 

I haven't used aquarium salt but I believe it works here it a very very helpful article. (definitely worth reading!!)

Aquarium Salt: When and How to Use It Properly

Also bettas can stand high levels of salinty.

 

I actually did see that article earlier today from another post on this site. The box for API aquarium salt says to use a half teaspoon per gallon, but today when I did my water change, I used what the co-op aquarium site said, which is 1 teaspoon per gallon. It’s good to hear that betta can withstand higher salinity. I will probably treat for just a week. Hoping that’s enough. Would love to hear what others have done and if they were successful!

 

Your welcome!! I really hope your betta makes a recovery!!

 

I actually did see that article earlier today from another post on this site. The box for API aquarium salt says to use a half teaspoon per gallon, but today when I did my water change, I used what the co-op aquarium site said, which is 1 teaspoon per gallon. It’s good to hear that betta can withstand higher salinity. I will probably treat for just a week. Hoping that’s enough. Would love to hear what others have done and if they were successful!

Ok, I’m a bit confused why you’re adding more than a preventative dose? Water changes, a small dose of aquarium salt, and some Indian almond leaves should clear this up.

I would do 1/2 a teaspoon. As long as you add in some Indian almond leaves and do very frequent water changes Only 1/2 should be needed. Any more, along with everything she’s been through could be stressful. Also, do you have live plants? If so, salt will hurt them. I managed to kill off some plants (moss balls) that have lived through pretty much everything I’ve thrown at them (no light, no ferts, me ripping them up by accident) By adding in aquarium salt.

Not trying to be rude, I’m just confused why so much salt is being added before we see the results of the leaves.
Also to answer your question about which brand, since I just get them at petco I can’t say for sure but on amazon I usually look for the ones that seem to have been used successfully without many issues or negative results.

 

Ok, I’m a bit confused why you’re adding more than a preventative dose? Water changes, a small dose of aquarium salt, and some Indian almond leaves should clear this up.

I would do 1/2 a teaspoon. As long as you add in some Indian almond leaves and do very frequent water changes Only 1/2 should be needed. Any more, along with everything she’s been through could be stressful. Also, do you have live plants? If so, salt will hurt them. I managed to kill off some plants (moss balls) that have lived through pretty much everything I’ve thrown at them (no light, no ferts, me ripping them up by accident) By adding in aquarium salt.

Not trying to be rude, I’m just confused why so much salt is being added before we see the results of the leaves.
Also to answer your question about which brand, since I just get them at petco I can’t say for sure but on amazon I usually look for the ones that seem to have been used successfully without many issues or negative results.

I read in the aquarium co-op article that the Level 1 amount was 1 tbsp per 3 gallons, which is 1 tsp per gallon. It goes up from there for treating fin rot. That was the minimum on that link you attached above. This is also what I read on another site. But the API Aquarium Salt package says to use 1/2 tsp per gallon. So you think 1 tsp per gallon is too much? And I will try Petco, but last I checked they didn’t have any IAL. Will check tomorrow!

Also, 1 quick question. I was just researching IAL online and I’m concerned about my pH dropping and also my water hardness. I use RO water and put minerals (Seachem Replenish) back in to bring the hardness where I want it. And my pH stays at 7.0. I’m concerned about those dropping/fluctuating with IAL’s. Thoughts?

 

I read in the aquarium co-op article that the Level 1 amount was 1 tbsp per 3 gallons, which is 1 tsp per gallon. It goes up from there for treating fin rot. That was the minimum on that link you attached above. This is also what I read on another site. But the API Aquarium Salt package says to use 1/2 tsp per gallon. So you think 1 tsp per gallon is too much? And I will try Petco, but last I checked they didn’t have any IAL. Will check tomorrow!

Also, 1 quick question. I was just researching IAL online and I’m concerned about my pH dropping and also my water hardness. I use RO water and put minerals (Seachem Replenish) back in to bring the hardness where I want it. And my pH stays at 7.0. I’m concerned about those dropping/fluctuating with IAL’s. Thoughts?

Because you should be doing frequent water changes anyways I don’t think it will drop fast or severely. Probably a very small difference, if any.

I think that you should start with 1/2 tsp. No need to stress her out or put in more salt than needed. If you see no improvement then you could bump it up to 1 tsp. Don’t keep it at 1 tsp for more than a week and a half (2 weeks at the most) without giving her a break for a week , no breaks could stress her out and cause the fin rot to speed up.

 

Because you should be doing frequent water changes anyways I don’t think it will drop fast or severely. Probably a very small difference, if any.

I think that you should start with 1/2 tsp. No need to stress her out or put in more salt than needed. If you see no improvement then you could bump it up to 1 tsp. Don’t keep it at 1 tsp for more than a week and a half (2 weeks at the most) without giving her a break for a week , no breaks could stress her out and cause the fin rot to speed up.

I appreciate the feedback & advice. I ordered some IAL's yesterday that should arrive today. I will definitely try them and just monitor my pH daily. I got the mini ones, so I will start with just 1 since my tank is only 5 gallons. I do think I'm going to stick with 1 tsp per gallon of the salt though, because I did a lot of reading on it yesterday and that seems to be the minimum most are suggesting for fin rot. She is tolerating it very well and even swimming around more and very interested in eating now! So I'm very hopeful. But like you suggested, I will only do for a week and then give her a break. Seachem recommended also using Stress Guard with the salt, so I've started that as well. Thank you for all of your advice!

 

1 teaspoon per gallon will be fine, any less and you wouldn't be getting the full benefit of salt. It's the best treatment for fins that I've seen, as it also helps with osmoregulation and electrolyte loss.

One of my peacocks.

 

1 teaspoon per gallon will be fine, any less and you wouldn't be getting the full benefit of salt. It's the best treatment for fins that I've seen, as it also helps with osmoregulation and electrolyte loss.

One of my peacocks.
View attachment 726275

Thank you for the feedback and I'm glad it worked for your guy! That's a lot of fin regrowth in just 9 days! May I ask how many days did you do the treatment in total? Did you stop at 9? I've done 4 days so far, with water changes every day. Today is day 5. No regrowth yet, but she definitely isn't getting worse, and she's eating every day now, so that's a plus for me. I also turned her lights off and I added some IAL's last night. I love going the natural way for healing, I just hope it works!