drfong

I don't know about guppies, but many fish do better with a little aqurium salt in the water. I know my bettas and goldfish both do. I know walmart sells it for about 2 bucks for a small container. It just takes a small amount. Not like mixing salt water for a SW set up. You can also get a cheap air pump and air stone very cheap there. It may not be the best and last for 10 years, but it will help and cost almost nothing. I would bet you could get it all for no more than 10 bucks. Good luck

Hepcat021

I saw that table salt was ok to use and whether it is or not how much salt would I add to a 10 gallon? I also have two neon tetras would salt hurt them?

drfong

I've never heard of using table salt. The aquarium salt is a rock salt, simmilar and maybe identical to epsoms salt. It is very cheap and I would suggest using the right stuff. I have had Tetras in salted aquarium with no problem. The box of salt has the amount to use per gal.

Jay

There is considerable debate in the aquarium community reguarding the addition of salt on a routine basis to our tanks.

This link will take you to a paper written By Robert Ricketts. He is an aquarium hobbyist of substantial reputation. I personally pay serious attention when this man speaks.

The article is long, a tad technical, but I think he is able to offer some valuable guidance.


http://www.thepufferforum.com/articles/water/salt.html

Regards,
Jay

Hepcat021

Wow, that article makes me feel pretty dumb. I usually can follow concepts dealing with many different subjects, but not having a large knowledge about molecular water conditions I feel confused. I guess since I have no testing materials for my water presently I shall just wait till I do to decide whether or not to add salt.

Jay

hey Bill...

Bottom Line, I think what RTR is saying, is if you have a specific species tank, and are interested in breeding or keeping that specific species or similar, than you might consider specific water treatment. Did that make sense

Otherwise, or in "your" tank with a mix of neons and guppies, don't do it until you gain real experience.

Regards,
Jay

Hepcat021

Yeah it makes sense. I suppose adding salt would not solve the problems I have anyway. Though I do have yet another question. Since I have raised the water level, what looks like little bubbles are collecting on the surface of the water. Before this did not happen there where just lots of bubbles being created because of the waterfall like flow into the water. It just looks odd and I hope it is not a bad indication.

Dummy fishkeeper
Bill

Jay

Epsom salt is MgSO4 Magnesium Sulfate

Salt is NaCl Sodium Chloride

Jay

ahill3780

And Saltwater premix's sold for use in saltwater aquariums are comprised of several different ingredients (Sea Salt, Calcium, Calcium Carbonate, Manganese, Magnesium, Boron, and every other ingredient found in natural sea water to one degree or another) and are not ideal for use in your freshwater "conditioning" as it will effect several of your tank parameters.

__________________
"The only thing that happens fast in saltwater tanks is failure."

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drfong

I know it's different from salt water tank salt. What I have been using is branded Doc Wellfish's Aquarium Salt for freshwater fish. After reading the above article I have no idea if I should use it or not, but I have not had trouble using it, especially with my goldfish and bettas. It says it's made from evaporated sea water and it is in a rock form like epsoms not grains like table salt. The package doesn't give a chemical description so I just don't know.