What does Aquarium salt REALLY do?

I am a bit of a sceptic when it comes to aquarium salt. I think there is the possibility it does have some beneficial properties when it comes to freshwater fish, but I really don't think it does as many things as some hobbyists would lead you to think.

I think many problems that people 'treat' with aquarium salt can be fixed with clean water, good diet, and time.

Like many things in this hobby, it seems like the popularity of aquarium salt is due largely to anecdotal evidence rather than actual science.

I'm definitely on the same boat as you... it kind of makes me sad though cause I see tons and TONS of people using it as a "Cure all" kind of treatment. -__-

I don't like salts either.I don't think they do anything good.

Salt has it's maximum effectiveness when rubbed directly on the fish ;-)

In the beginning I used salts because people recommended it, but these days I don't use it anymore. I was using them to help with his torn/bitten fins to get rid of small bouts of fin rot- but then I soon stopped when I noticed that the water changes alone was enough to stop most cases and heal the fins.

I probably wouldn't touch aquarium salts again until he actually gets sick with something that's not fin rot. Even then I'm not sure how effective it will be.

jaysee said:

Salt has it's maximum effectiveness when rubbed directly on the fish ;-)

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:lol:

jaysee said:

Salt has it's maximum effectiveness when rubbed directly on the fish ;-)

Click to expand...

I actually read somewhere once that you were suppose to rub AQ salt on your fishes tail to cure fin rot. xD

I guess everyone feels the same way I do about using AQ salt as a magic cure... It's nice to know so now I don't have to wonder about it anymore..

16kehresmann said:

I actually read somewhere once that you were suppose to rub AQ salt on your fishes tail to cure fin rot. xD

I guess everyone feels the same way I do about using AQ salt as a magic cure... It's nice to know so now I don't have to wonder about it anymore..

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Works best with bloat if you can rub it in all under the scales ;-)

Yeah, salt is like aquarium snake oil. Now I don't mean that to sound like it's worthless - it's just not a magic cure all is all. There are specific situations where salt can be beneficial, though.

In small doses like 1 teaspoon per 5 gallons, it can help the liver and kidney's function easier. I don't remember where I've read it but I've seen it in a few places, the slight change in salinity is enough to kill many nasty bacteria sitting in the water as well.

As for use at 1 teaspoon per 1 gallon or more it does the following:
Balances out electrolytes (can be useful but generally is not needed much)
Irritates the slime coat into overproducing which is helpful in knocking parasitic cysts off of the fish like Ich but there are easier ways to cure Ich like using a higher temperature (86-88 degrees).
Can sterilize open wounds (fin rot is not an open wound so it is pretty much useless for fin rot)

I'm not too sure about aquarium salts, other than their supposed anti-bacterial effect, but I know epsom salt tends to "pull out" infection (I believe this is also due to antibacterial properties though). I have seen both used in aquariums, but I personally have never used either (except for myself! haha).

AQ salt isn't an antibiotic.

Here's the difference between the two salts.

Aquarium Salt (Sodium Chloride)
NOTE* this is not the same as table salt, it lacks the anti-caking agent and iodine.
Good for external use: irritates slime coat into overproducing, knocks off parasitic cysts like Ich.
Sterilizes open wounds.

Epsom Salt (Magnesium Sulfate)
NOTE* this is not a real salt which is why it can be used in a longer duration without too much negative effect on the kidney/livers however it can dehydrate a fish.
Good for use inside the fish to reduce swelling and as a laxative to push out intestinal blockages causing bloat/constipation.

I didn't mean to imply it was an antibiotic, but that it has antibacterial properties. This does not mean it's likely to kill all bacteria, as that would make it antibacterial in and of itself, which I did not say it is.

You also mentioned in your previous post where you said the "salinity is enough to kill many nasty bacteria sitting in the water as well."

I'm well aware that antibiotic and anti-bacterial are not the same thing. Did someone else mentioned it being an antibiotic, and I missed that post? Unless you were referring in general, to the idea of aquarium salt being a "cure all"?