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