Is a little sea salt okay for fresh water tanks in regards to keeping diseases down?

Question

A young lady just answered a previous question in regards to my fish and said a little sea salt is good to keep down and knockout certain parasites, such as Ick. I'm not doubting her answer, just looking for verification and other answers to help with my problem. They're freshwater fish. Not entirely important, but I really hate watching the fish die. So do my kids. Help please.

Answer 1

The salt should be used as a treatment not as a permanent environment for your fresh water fish. A saltwater dip for a fish should kill parasites. Not all all fish will handle being in brackish water very well. If you are just raising inexpensive fish, by all means, do whatever you like. For more expensive tropical fish, your investment is a little more valuable and I would not recommend keeping them in brackish water. There are water treatments that should do the trick instead of salt water. Treat the ailments not the symptoms of the fish.

Answer 2

First make sure the there are no bits of the original"owner" left in the shell. Then I would soak this a bucket of water overnite. Then I would drain this water off and add more fresh water and boil the heck out of it. I would repeat this process several times until you are positively sure the salt and other nasties have been removed. Then you can be fairly sure it is relatively safe to put in your aquarium. The only drawback here is that it will still leach calcium into your water and will slowly increase the hardness of your water.

Answer 3

I don't know about sea salt but Aquarium salt is OK and it does help knock out disease but not for snails or other invertebrate it kills them.I got aquarium salt in my fresh water tank.I also heard any kind of fish(slowly little extra salt added at a time) can be turned salt water.Also go to Walmart and buy some fungus clear fizzy tabs raise tem to around 80 this helps get rid of and prevent disease.

Answer 4

Some fish are more sensitive to salt and other water impurities that others- there are commercially available Ick remedies out there, such as Ick Out, that are safer and more reliable. If you don't want to risk hurting the kids' feelings over dead fish, stick with the safer option.

Answer 5

Yes, you can add salt to you aquarium. I would start off by adding 2 tablespoons per 10 Gallons. Only use the white Hawaiian Rock salt. You can probably find it at your grocery store, or if you have a local asian market. DO NOT use any other type of salt!! Red salt, rock salt for ice cream or table salt could kill your fish.

Answer 6

You can buy regular aquarium salt at your local pet store. I've not heard of using sea salt, but it could be possible. I use about a table spoon per gallon of regular aquarium salt in my tank. I also add a few table spoons for each gallon of water I change each month.



So to answer your question, I would think she's right, but she just uses a different type of salt. Just be careful not to use to much.

Answer 7

yes it is good for fresh water tanks in very small amounts. Also depends on what kind of fish you have. Go to the local petstore and ask their advice on the subject after you tell them what kind of tank (cold water or tropical) and what kind of fish you have in it. A small amount of salt is beneficial if you have goldfish. Helps cut down on disease in them

Answer 8

That sea salt stuff is for saltwater fish. It says it right on the package. Maybe you should try a better filter. You can even buy drops that help maintain your waters purity.

Answer 9

I dont think that the salt your talking about would be ok, thats why you get the kinda at the store and it tells you how much to put in to it, with the other you dont know how much is really going into your tank.

Answer 10

Yes it is. I put in about a tablespoon for my 20 gallon tank and it works really well.



The salt I get has the exact amount they recommend you use for a fresh water tank on the carton.

Answer 11

I thought it was crazy to put salt in my fresh water fish tank at first.The expert at the pet shop told me about it, and it worked.Maybe the folks at your pet shop know about it,also.

Answer 12

the people saying salt won't work (if used correctly) are dumbasses that have no idea what they be talking about

Answer 13

NO