To Salt Or Not To Salt?

[~heidi~]

Hi everyone,
 I have been thinking about adding salt to my tropical tank and have a few questions about it. I have read that it can be beneficial for the fish and decrease the chance of my fish getting parasites but I have a bristlenose pleco and 2 yo yo loaches. Will they be OK if I add salt to the tank?
 
 I have a 55 gallon that has been running for close to 6 years.  If I add salt, what dose would you recommend?  My box of aquarium salt recommends 1/2 teaspoon for every gallon.
 
Also, should I add  with every water change or is this something I should limit to once monthly or when a new fish is added to the tank?
 
Thank you very much for any help you can give.

 

[fluttermoth]

Simple answer; don't add salt to freshwater aquariums, they don't need it.

 

[Noahsfish]

I wouldn't unless they have ich, I know the bn is fine but I wouldn't risk it with the loaches.

 

[techen]

Again, Salt would cause more issues than not having it.

 

[~heidi~]

OK, thank you much for the replies.
What about for my quarantine tank for new fish?
Do you think it would be a good idea to keep that salted? 
 
Thanx again for any help.

 

[fluttermoth]

No, don't salt that either
 
Keep the salt, as it can be useful if your fish actually get sick; it can be a good medication for some things.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Exactly... Salt has its place.  Usually though, its in the cabinet, not in the tank.  Kept it on hand as it lasts forever and doesn't "expire", since its just a rock.
 
But, it should only be used for VERY specific things, not a general tonic for fish.  Its "freshwater" for a reason.