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As a freshwater hobbyist, you probably don't find salt on your shopping list very often. But aquatic salt actually has a number of beneficial uses in the freshwater aquarium. Made from evaporated seawater, freshwater aquarium salt can reduce stress, treat some external parasites, and protect fish against the effects of nitrite spikes. Do not use table salt in aquariums as they are usually iodized and contain anti-clumping agents.
Catfish Warning
Catfish have a low tolerance for salt and cannot tolerate over 1 tablespoon of salt per 40 litres of aquarium water.
Reduce Stress
During times of stress or when fish are diseased, their gills may not function efficiently. As a result, fish can experience osmotic shock, by which electrolytes are lost through the gills, impairing the fish's ability to take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide. Freshwater aquarium salt contains beneficial electrolytes that replenish the electrolytes lost during these times of stress or disease, resulting in improved gill functioning. For this application, add one teaspoon of salt for every 6 litres of aquarium water directly to your tank.
Treat Parasites (Salt Bath)
Freshwater aquarium salt can serve as a short-term bath treatment for freshwater external parasites such as Trichodina, Ichthyobodo, and Epistylis. For this application, dissolve 1 tablespoon of salt for each litre of water in a separate container - use water from your aquarium to reduce shock. Carefully place the infested fish in the container for 5 to 10 minutes, and then place the fish back in tank. Repeat in 24 hours if necessary.
Protect Fish from Nitrite Poisoning
When water quality is compromised and nitrite spikes, freshwater aquarium salt can help temporarily block the toxic effects of the high nitrite levels and protect your fish until water quality improves. First, perform water changes with dechlorinated water to reduce the nitrite level. The addition of 1 tablespoon of salt per 4 litres of water will prevent methemoglobin toxicity by blocking the nitrite absorption through the fish's gills. Any aquarium salt or marine salt mix can be used. Aeration should be increased to provide ample oxygen saturation in the water. Feedings should be reduced and no new fish should be added to the tank until the ammonia and nitrite levels have fallen to zero. That will reduce the formation of excess ammonia, which will be converted to nitrite. It is critical to continue daily testing and treatment until the nitrite level falls to zero.
Hatch Brine Shrimp Eggs
To hatch Brine Shrimp Eggs you don't have to be as particular, regarding the water, as raising them. To hatch in 1 liter of ordinary tap water, add somewhere between 1/2 and 2 level tablespoons of aquarium salt. Don't use table salt as the iodine and anti-clumping agents will affect the hatch rate. The pH of the water should also be between 8.0 and 8.5. If your pH is below 8.0 hatch rate will drop dramatically. Remember to hatch brine shrimp outside of the aquarium in a separate container as brine shrimp eggs can kill small fish that are unable to digest them.
Raising Brine Shrimp
Brine shrimp are an excellent food source for many fish, but require brackish water to survive. By adding freshwater aquarium salt to RO water, you can increase the salinity level of the water to achieve brackish conditions. Add two tablespoonfuls for each litre of water until you achieve a specific gravity of 1.005 and 1.015 SG.
