Jay

Hey Mandy

I'm just curious...what is

all about?

Regards,
Jay

Tommy Gun

I can see how my comments would imply a double standard, however, I was just trying to point out what the article was saying and how it was debunking the myth:
Just wanted to clear that up. I agree that salt is all too often used very loosly from time to time, which is why I brought up the issue of marine salt mixes can create when used in a freshwater tank; implying that while mollies may be able to adapt to the different salts and trace elements found in marine salt, other fish may not. Based upon my observations, many times a hobbyist might consider his or her tank a 'species tank', or only holding one type of fish and no other, but sometimes forget about the pleco or other algae eaters.

I might be wrong, but I thought it was you that told me about the livebearer salt, which I also mention. I believe that the confusion here has been generated by my failure to state and/or reiterate that the point I was trying to get across by relaying what I read in that magazine is that salt was not needed at all for mollies.

In any case, I apologize for not being more clear within my comments.

penna32

Jay ..


"free mn_fuzka" is some type of virus .. not sure how its acquired i will do further research tho

i haven't found any specific way to get rid of it .. a lot of poeple have this problem with their emails.. it is supposedly a virus that has taken over your signature name .. search through the options on your browser, or even when you send out emails .. if it asks for "Name" erase whats there .. hopefully that works

__________________

pappyy3

Hmmmmm ... I think everyone has made some really good comments on this post.

Agree that when adding minerals to your tank, your need to consider the needs of your other fish, not just the specific ones ones you're trying to save.

Whilst certain magazine articles "debunk" theories, I would like to remind everyone that the majority of these articles are based on one persons opinion and experience. They may not apply to everyone, and I'm certainly proof of that.

An example of this is where many articles claim that bristle nose catfish do not tolerate salts in their water. Well, I kept a trio of bristlenose's ( 1 male & 2 females) in my tank with Mollies. The water was slightly brackish (Mixed with marine salt). The bristlenoses bred like rabbits! I had a clutch of eggs every six weeks!

The point I'm trying to make is that habbyists should never be afraid to try something different (within reason) in keeping their fish. Do your homework and be willing to learn new methods.

After all, if we just followed what others tell us to, then I'm sure that many innovations in the aquarium hobby would never have happened ....

Just my thoughts

Tommy Gun

Even though my gut instict is telling me not to 'fuel the fire' here, the urge is just too great. Just please keep in mind that I am not trying to start a huge debate about mollies and salt, and my last intention here is to say "I am right, you are wrong". With that in mind....

I couldnt agree more with you pappyy3. While I am not trying to say that this article I referred to can be considered as being the aquatic bible, I will say that in this instance, the portion of the article I bring up here seems to be based more on a factual basis, versus other articles which detail topics that can vary from person to person since they are more opinionated.

I have to say that I agree with the idea that catfish cannot tolerate salt...but only about half way. For example, I know quite a few hobbyists who use salt in his or her tank, in fact, I also do the same and have a BN pleco....however, it is commonly suggested that the addition of salt may irritate scaleless fish, and so it is also suggested that the 'normal' dose of salt be cut in half. To add to that, the method in which you add the salt also plays a role in your ability to reduce the risk of this irritation.

I am glad that you put the 'within reason' at the end of your comment here; and I completely agree with you.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I am not trying to say that every hobbyist should or could add salt to a molly tank; conversely, I am also not trying to say that no one should ever add salt to a livebearer/molly tank. I am just trying to point out that you would probably be ok regardless of if you add salt or skip it entirely (again, within reason). Make sense?