[Bettalover26]

I put a little more than 1/4 of a teaspoon of sea salt in my betta's tank, which is 3/4 of a gallon. I have been doing this since I got him. It has prevented fin rot, and he seems extremely happy! He blows a huge bubble nest after a change out his water every time. I was just reading some threads that putting salt in is bad...so which theory is true?

 

[Aus]

I won't use salt at all, because I have planted tanks and worry about build-up as I don't completely change the water, ever.

I think the main concerns with using salt are long-term damage to fish organs, as well as saline buildup if the water isn't changed completely every time. Personally, I don't think it's necessary, especially if your water's kept nice and clean and you have lots of plants and a good bio filter to help the water quality along.

That said, lots of folks swear by tiny amounts of salt in ratio to water volume and have healthy fish. I wouldn't do it, but if your fish lives a long and healthy life and it's working for you, then there's no problem, I guess.

eta: sorry, just noticed that you've got a really small tank there, it's such a tiny amount of water that 1/4 tsp of salt would be a lot.. I'd actually be worried about using that much salt..

 

[Bettalover26]

Ok well I do a 95% water change very week, and I don't have any live plants, just one fake one. Still 1/4 too much? How much would you recommend?

 

[sainthogan]

Aquarium/sea salt is recommended as a medication only, and only meant to be used for 14 days maximum. Too long can cause internal and external damage. I have seen a fish that lost its fins due to excessive salt usage. They literally burned off the body - not a pretty sight at all. If you are set on using it all the time, I would strongly recommend 1/10th of a teaspoon for a bowl that size. It's generally recommended to use 1 teaspoon for 5 gallons, so for 3/4 of a gallon you would want to use approximately 2/10ths of a teaspoon for medication use, so for long term use, you would want to use considerably less.

 

[Aus]

Well. I'm probably the wrong person to ask, as I wouldn't use any. Maybe some of the people who do use it will come along and help. I do think that's currently a lot of salt though, for a very small tank. ETA: haha, there we are, I've crossposted with sainthogan.

If you're even leaving small amounts of water in, salt will build up over time to toxic levels. It might take a long time, idk how long.. but it -will- build up. I really don't think 100% changes will make much difference at all to 95% to be honest, and flushing all the water out will make sure there's no residue building up.

 

[jaysee]

I won't use salt either. You know what prevents fin rot better than salt? Good clean water. Salt does have its purposes, but the way most people use it, it's not much more than snake oil.

There is a huge difference between 95% and 100%. The former is just a water change, while the latter is a complete tank cleaning - breaking it down and putting it back together again. Or at least that's how I understand it.

There should not be a buildup of salt due to water changes because you don't redose for the entire volume - only the amount of water that is changed. But, it is not always easy to determine exactly how much water is removed. Wait that's not true - it's very easy. Just takes doing some math . Every inch of water represents a volume, and every volume contains the same concentration of salt. So, all the info is there.

 

[dramaqueen]

I was told by a former moderator here that salt messes with their osmoregulatory system and should not be used longtetm.

 

[Polkadot]

I wouldn't recommend using salt either,most especially in such a small tank.IMO it does more harm than good.

 

[rickey]

I'm in the anti salt camp also. It has it's place, but It's uses are very limited.

R

 

[dramaqueen]

I believe it has it's place too but it seems that it's commonly recommended for treatment for different diseases along with different meds.

 

[Hallyx]

The most experienced keeper I know has this to say about salt.

http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/freshwater-general-articles/salt-freshwater-aquarium-188649/

 

[dramaqueen]

+1 for Byron's advice!!

 

[Bettalover26]

Oh goodness I guess I won't use salt anymore!! I say 95% because I keep about a cup of his old water so he has his old bacteria. Thanks to everybody who commented, have a wonderful day!

 

[Hallyx]

There's very little bacteria in that water. It sticks to all the surfaces. Unless you're circulating the water and aerating it, you're not growing much bacteria either.