Exercise caution. What exactly is "tonic salt"? Surely salt is just salt, isn't it? Tonic, or aquarium salt, is basically plain old sodium chloride, often with a bit of anti-caking agent thrown in to make it easier to pour. Marine salt, on the other hand, is much more complex and contains special blends of minerals, like magnesium and calcium, which are useful for making the water better for marine invertebrates.
Tonic salt doesn't do this. It's designed for therapeutic use, not for making the water resemble that of the sea. I've been warned off aquarium salts that contain sodium hexocyanoferrate. Why is this? The additive sodium hexocyanoferrate is an anti-caking agent and is designed to make salt free-flowing. Without an anti-caking agent, salt tends to take up moisture from the air and form hard lumps which are harder to dissolve.
Most fishkeeping writers, myself included, have advised against the use of salt containing this - but I'd bet money on none of them knowing the reason why.
I certainly didn't know why this stuff was said to be potentially toxic. Sodium hexocyanoferrate contains cyanide! Run-off from roadside salt storage facilities, which contain salt containing sodium hexocyanoferrate used for salting icy roads, have been found by Ohno to contain high levels of cyanide! Cyanide is toxic to fish at high levels, which is why its use to catch marine fish is frowned upon. I've been unable to find any evidence in the journals which show that this is harmful to fish in the low levels that are likely to occur in the aquarium.
Most suppliers of bulk tonic salt label their product as containing it. The salts are used extensively, and I've never heard of problems relating to their use. So what's Malawi salt? I thought Malawi was a freshwater lake. The "salt" recommended for use in Rift Lake cichlid aquaria is probably best called a mineral supplement, since it isn't based on sodium chloride. It's designed to make the water harder and more alkaline, not saltier.
Some people advocate adding tonic salt for Malawis, others reckon it can lead to Malawi Bloat. It is neither an essential nor a recommended addition to a Malawi tank, and we would never advise you to add it. Malawi Salt, on the other hand, is handy if you live in a softwater area, since it effectively replenishes the missing minerals in your water. What salt should I use in a brackish aquarium? Brackish fish expert Dr Neale Monks says: "Marine salt mix. It's so inexpensive in the quantities brackish or freshwater require that there's no point economising with table or rock salt.
How do I calculate the correct dose to add? Salt is normally dosed in grams per litre or parts per thousand. Both equate to the same amount: 1ppt is 1g per litre. This makes it easy to calculate how much is required if you know the aquarium or pond volume.
This is a tricky question, because it's hard to confirm that problems seen in fish have been caused by administering salt. I've seen salt used widely on a range of supposedly salt-intolerant species with no obvious ill-effects. However, many claim that catfishes, especially Corydoras, and Malawi cichlids tolerate salt badly - I've yet to see this myself, though.
Research shows that many fish from soft, acidic water will tolerate salt. Vet Chris Walster told us he had not yet seen a species that appeared intolerant. He said: "Where I have come across an unfamiliar species, I would always recommend a test treatment first. It should only be used if you suspect pathogens, parasites, or microorganisms causing stress to your fish.
You should also always start with the lowest concentration and only increase this concentration if the lower concentration does not work. If you can stick to these guidelines and use the salt sparingly, it will work wonders for your aquarium or fish tank. I've been keeping fish for over 30 years and currently have 4 different aquariums — it's an addiction. I'm here to teach you everything there is to know about fishkeeping. I also use this site as an excuse to spend lots of money on testing and reviewing different aquarium products!
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Close Menu Blog. Aquarium thermometer. Automatic fish feeder. Water changer. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. The rule of thumb is to add one tablespoon of salt for every two gallons of water for between 7 to 14 days.
This rule applies to the minute cases of ich. You can increase the use of salt to one tablespoon per gallon of the aquarium. However, you need to refrain from adding too much salt as it can cause harm to your plants and other fish. Also, you might even have to remove your fish from the aquarium for a while.
However, these steps are only to be taken if the ailment is quite persistent. There are two ways to add salt to your aquarium. You can either add it directly or you can dissolve it in a cup of water before adding it. Aquarium salt along with an increase in temperature within the tank helps kill ich during the swimming stage. Adding salt to an aquarium helps the fish gain their natural slime coat, increasing their resistance towards diseases.
Additionally, aquarium salt is also a great way to help fish maintain osmotic pressure within its body consistently.
This helps enhance the overall health of the fish. Ich tends to prey on tropical fish that have a weak immune system. Apart from ensuring that your fish remain healthy, salt helps boost their immunity. This helps your fish effectively fight off any other infections that may compromise their immunity. Not only does this type of salt cure ich, but it also ensures the overall wellbeing of your tank. Aquarium salt helps form a slime coating on your fish, protecting it from ich and other diseases.
Moreover, it also helps in improving the gill functions and reducing the intake nitrates of your fish. Now, are you also thinking whether you can use common salt to treat ich?
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