Aquarium Salt

[KingPiranha]

Hi everybody,

I just recently found this great forum after surfing the net studying up on maintaining my new tank...I'm a bit rusty, not having owned/cared for a tank since sometime in the mid '90s...

Anyhow...I had questions regarding the usage of aquarium salt in a freshwater aquarium. Upon purchasing, I added the recommended dosage (1 tbsp per 5 gallons). I've never used salt in an aquarium prior to this one. Currently, I have a 10 gal.

I understand that salt does not evaporate/is not filtered out...So far I have done one water change (1/4 of aquarium water replenished), and was curious about adding salt levels. I consulted with the mgr of the Fish Dept at a local PetSmart and he believed that no salt should be added (I haven't) for this particular water change.

However, I am curious about subsequent water changes in the future. His reasoning was that a 1/4 change is not enough to warrant adding salt. However, he suggested such for a 50% water change. What schedule (if any) does everyone use for adding salt levels? Would it be a good idea to get a salt modulator of sorts?

As for the aquarium stock, I have 3 neon tetras, 2 torquoise guppy and a ghost shrimp.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

ok the first question is why are you choosing to add salt?

it's largely redundant now and very few people use it, unless you have fish which specifically need it (you don't) then I'd question the need to use it at all.

 

[loachman]

Well, to maintain the salt level you would need to add as much as you took away in the water change. It'd be 25% of what you originally put in (so 1/2 tbsp). Otherwise, it will change by 25% each time you do a water change.

BUT, you have no fish that require salt. In fact, neon tetras probably do worse with it. The only reason to add it is for disease treatment. Otherwise, save your money.