Adding table salt to a fish tank?

Question

Hi. I am just starting my setup.I am planning on housing two or three bettas (with a divider) and an oto catfish. Bettas like some salt so I was going to add a bit. I know that uniodized salt is best however I am currently letting the tank undergo the nitrogen cycle for a week or two. Will it be safe to use table salt if I have at least a week before adding fish? I assume the iodine breaks down pretty quickly. Also, I have some small snails and some moss in the tank as well if that matters.

Answer 1

To answer your question yes you can use table salt and yes even if it is iodine salt.  All living things need iodine in some form.  If your food doesn't contain iodine use table salt as long as it does not contain sulfactants to keep it free flowing.  Iodine at .006% is not hurting fish.

Secondly otos don't like nor need salt.  It has been a large debate to salt or not salt a tank.  Salt actually works as an irritant for fresh water fish.  This forces the fish to increase their slime coat which people though was great for keeping parasites off the fish.  Infact it stresses them out more as well as interfears with the fish's ability to process water for waste removal which can lead to bloat and some times swimbladder problems.  

My advice, no salt.  The only salt that should ever be used in a fresh water tank is Epsom.  This salt doesn't allow for bloat problems in fish.  It is also used for medical purposes only.

Snails also cannot have salt in the tank.  Did you ever see a snail subjected to salt?

Answer 2

No no no!

The only salt that is safe for a tank ever, even in a new set up is Aquarium Salt.  Aquarium Salt is specially for tanks and fish.  Table salt will kill your fish very quickly.

Aquarium Salt isn't expensive and can be found in most pet stores, as well as your Local Fish Store.

Answer 3

I wouldn't do it, to be safe. There's some controversy, although its more accepted now, whether iodized salt is deathly for your fish or not. This guy http://badmanstropicalfish.com/articles/... says it isn't, but I've heard differently a lot of times.

You can take your chances, but I would say no.  

Answer 4

Oto's don't like salt.

Answer 5

no its not a good idea it wont be good for the fish theyll get sick and die most of the time.

Answer 6

As long as the Salt ingredients include:

Sodium chloride

and thats about it.

This is a good general rule to follow.  Keep in mind, the amount of iodine in the salt is not enough to endanger the fish. Just make sure the amount of salt does not get over 0.3% (3 ppt) or 3 pounds per 100 gallons of water.  Good luck.

Answer 7

NO! Theyll eventually die!

Answer 8

Snails and salt don't go together.  But When I first got into keeping bettas I read a little bit of salt was good for them it helps keep fungus and diseases from killing your fish.  SO I use to put table salt in the tanks just a pinch.  Then I read Aquarium salt.  So I bought some aquarium salt and would always put a pitch in after I did a water change.  My fish lived 3 to 5 years.  

So Yes a bit of salt is good for them but go with aquarium salt it is safest. NO a pinch of table salt will not kill your bettas.

"Salt. Yes, bettas are not marine fish, but they do love a bit of salt in their water and it also prevents parasites and fungus. Add 1 tablespoon of aquarium salt, or rock salt per 5 gal of water (not table salt!!!! They are bettas, not pretzels!!). Now a day, I actually put 1 teaspoon per 10 gal. What that means is that you can play around a bit with your salt amount, and I have found that anything between 1 teaspoon per 10 gal to 1 tablespoon per 5 gal works. "

-http://bettatalk.com/water.htm