| Did you know that freshwater fish use salt? While | | | | oxygen intake. In wounds, salt can aid in faster |
| it is true that freshwater fish and plants in their | | | | healing by the process called hyperosmolarity |
| natural habitat are used to water of one in a | | | | wherein the fish's blood flow is encouraged to |
| million salt content, a sprinkle of crystal rock salt in | | | | increase production of bodily fluids for fresh |
| one's aquarium is a secret long guarded in the | | | | plasma to deal with the wound. |
| fish-keeping hobby. This mineral which may come | | | | Salt Formula |
| from evaporated seawater or deposits of rocks | | | | The basic formula for a full aquarium medication is |
| is both a purifier and a stimulant. It is a natural | | | | one tablespoon of salt for every five gallons of |
| ingredient for purifying water and for energizing | | | | water. Thus, for a 75 gallon tank, you need 15 |
| stressed or wounded fish. However, salt can only | | | | tablespoons of salt. This is done in the first set-up |
| be effective in small quantities because excessive | | | | and in proceeding water changes. For example, if |
| use is harmful to your pet in the same manner | | | | you change 20 gallons from the 75 gallon after |
| that it increases the risk in heart problems, kidney | | | | one month, you only have to add 4 tablespoons |
| malfunctions and high blood pressures among | | | | of salt. Each full salt medication is good for three |
| humans. Again, proper use must be practiced at all | | | | weeks. For short medication such as in the case |
| times. One should be guided by the following | | | | of initial nitrite attack, only add one half ounce of |
| questions: What type of salt should be used for a | | | | salt per gallon of water to neutralize the tank. |
| freshwater aquarium? When and how frequent | | | | The same short salt exposure is needed in an |
| should it be used? Is it functional to all fish types? | | | | initial parasite attack: First, add 4 teaspoons of salt |
| Freshwater aquarium salt is a mystery to most | | | | in one gallon of water placed in a bucket, put the |
| but it is not that weird. | | | | stressed fish in the bucket then return it to the |
| The Best Aquarium Salt | | | | tank after half an hour. Generally, salt must be |
| Salt generally comes in two forms: Anti caking | | | | thoroughly pre-dissolved in another container |
| agents like tricalcium phosphate, fatty acid salts | | | | before adding to the tank to avoid burns in fish |
| and magnesium oxide are found in unrefined sea | | | | scales and skin. |
| salts which have magnesium and calcium | | | | Fish Love it, Fish Love it Not |
| compounds. Its products include table salt, baking | | | | Not all freshwater fish though are compatible with |
| soda, washing soda, rock salt and kosher salt. | | | | salt as effective ingredient in fighting disease, |
| Table salt, which is popular in cooking, is the best | | | | parasites and nitrite-poisoning. some freshwater |
| for aquariums as it is composed of 97 to 99 | | | | aquarium fish respond well to water with plenty |
| percent sodium chloride or NaCl. | | | | of salt while others abslutely will not. |
| However, it also contains low concentration | | | | For example, adding salt as a method to treat |
| anti-caking agents that may be harmful to | | | | water and fish works well with swordtails, mollies, |
| freshwater fish. Aquarium Salt, a commercial | | | | cichlids and livebearers like brackish water fish |
| product free of additives and is composed purely | | | | species that especially like electrolytes found in |
| of sodium and chloride ions is especially | | | | sodium. Some fish can benefit from the addition |
| manufactured for freshwater aquariums. Salt, | | | | of salt by getting woulds healed, increasing gill |
| freshwater and other marine tanks have a | | | | function and preventing the formation of other |
| particular salt for them. In the absence though of | | | | toxins in the fish tank. fish can have issues with |
| processed Aquarium Salt, non-iodized table salt | | | | the salt in the tank if they do not experience it |
| that is readily available in anyone's kitchen or dining | | | | often enough per year. Meanwhile, fish that are |
| table is the best bet. | | | | used with very soft water and those that do not |
| Salt as a Water-Purifier and Fish-Medication | | | | have scales like the plecostomus, cordydoras, |
| Present tap water usually has a very low salt | | | | angelfish, neon tetras, cardinal tetras, rummy |
| content compared to water at natural breeding | | | | nose tetras, hatchetfish, elephantnoses, eels and |
| areas. Besides radiating a feel of home among | | | | discus are known to be allergic to salt. |
| fish, the addition of salt defeats toxic chemicals | | | | Never attempt to medicate these fish using salt |
| like nitrites. This way you avoid fish poisoning. Salt | | | | or else you may lose them. In aquariums with live |
| can also fight disease-causing parasites such as | | | | plants, salt cannot be applied because it can be |
| Chilodonella cyprinid, Costia, Anchorworms, | | | | too acidic for the plants. One should be keen in |
| pathogens like the protozoan Ichthyophthirius and | | | | observing their fish once the aquarium is sprinkled |
| skin flukes Gyrodactylus that may proliferate in | | | | with salt to notice any unusual behavior. Others |
| the aquarium. Whenever a fish is sick or is | | | | prefer to do the salt medication only with their |
| stressed, it experiences heavy loss in ions and | | | | water change. Whatever that you prefer, |
| sodium. | | | | remember to always keep a close eye on your |
| The fish can benefit from the salt by getting back | | | | fish as their behavior will always tip you off to |
| from it what the fish has lost due to illness or | | | | something in the aquarium may not be right. |
| stress, and that will benefit the gills and therefore | | | | |