Is Salt a Wonder Drug!?!

[pnyklr3]

I have read that salt will help get rid of ich, and that it is an overall stress reducer, but does it help with any other outbreaks a tank might have? More specifically: will it get rid of fungal, bacterial, or parasitic infections?

 

[Tempestuousfury]

From what I've read, it's nothing more than electrolytes that help the fishes' immune systems. It isn't a curative measure, but it helps the fish get better.

It is not a cure-all, and there is no such things. There are many different types of bacteria, fungi, and parasites, and you have to treat certain groups with different meds. There are some meds that help cure a wide range of health problems, but never a cure-all.

 

[astroboy]

Also, regular use of salt during water changes in unwarranted. Add salt only to treat something.

 

[willywonka099]

Not true at all ............ depending on what is in the tank such as an all molly tank would be a VERY good idea in 99% of cases ..... unless of course you have fish that wont like it

 

[JacopoFishy]

I usually only add salt when there's an outbreak of an illness, every other water change, or if I haven't in a while. I was under the impression the rule with adding salt is no more than every 48 hours. I never add in that much, except recently during an ICH outbreak.

 

[willywonka099]

Well, actualy, salt doesnt go away until a water change is done ....... so if you add a teaspoon of salt you will always have a salt residue/brackish water in your tank

 

[Da_Oz]

Salt is bad for alot of plants, and alot of fish. But it is a good cure for alot of things but better done in a different tank.

 

[Melfice]

I hear Cory Cats don't like Salt. I think that goes for most cat fish too.

 

[CFC]

The best cure-all and preventitive medicine is regular water changes and clean tanks. Keep your fish well and they almost never get ill.

 

[Melfice]

The best cure-all and preventitive medicine is regular water changes and clean tanks. Keep your fish well and they almost never get ill.

So true.

 

[astroboy]

Not true at all ............ depending on what is in the tank such as an all molly tank would be a VERY good idea in 99% of cases ..... unless of course you have fish that wont like it

I found this an interesting article

http/tcoletti.tripod.com/molly_salt_debate.html

 

[Melfice]

Not true at all ............ depending on what is in the tank such as an all molly tank would be a VERY good idea in 99% of cases ..... unless of course you have fish that wont like it

I found this an interesting article

http/tcoletti.tripod.com/molly_salt_debate.html

Great find! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Salt is bad for alto of plants, and alot of fish. But it is a good cure for alot of things but better done in a different tank.

I totally agree. Most fish come from areas with little or no measurable salt content and so to suddenly add salt to their water could in fact stress them out more. However, it can work if done outside the tank, in a QT or hospital tank for example.

 

[Tropjunky]

Careful salt can help but it can also kill some fish will tolorate salt but not all and i preffer not to use salt.

 

[willywonka099]

Well, Salt should NOT be used with most cats true but i generally introduced salt with a plec. and he is fine .......

As for that artical I'm pretty sure it is NOT true I'll try to find a page i had in my favorites a while ago ..... The only mollies that havn't been naturally keptin salt water at one time are one's inbred and taken from their original habbitat