Betta talk

by **Better than Betta** Mon 17 Jan 2011 - 3:27

I have a tank filled with snails I don't know what their scientific name is. They are either called apple or secret snails, you know the big gold ones. Is it ok to put salt in the water with these guys? I have other fish in the tank as well and I have never used salt in my aquariums.

by **KalandraJane** Tue 18 Jan 2011 - 9:44

Why do you want to start using salt now, is one of your fish sick?

If you add any salt at all, it needs to be aquarium salt not just household salt. The apple snails should be ok at a normal dose (about 1tsp per gallon for treating sick fish or perking up lethargic ones) for a few weeks.

by **Better than Betta** Wed 19 Jan 2011 - 3:18

Oh sorry Im misunderstanding I thought it was the going thing to add salt to your aquarium. Just clarifying - if your fish is under the weather you can add salt to the water but only for a short period of time, otherwise keep using ordinary fresh water if all the fish are healthy.

by **KalandraJane** Wed 19 Jan 2011 - 23:09

It says on the side of boxes of aquarium salt to add it as a 'general tonic and pH buffer' but this is basically just sales patter to get you to buy more salt. Freshwater fish do not need salt in the water to keep them healthy.

But yeah, if they're generally looking a bit under the weather but not showing any actual signs of disease, a dose of aquarium salt is a good way to bring them out of it. There's no time limits for it being in there, it can just be removed bit by bit as you do fresh water changes, and added whenever you think they need it. It's also good for bettas recovering from finrot.

by **Better than Betta** Thu 20 Jan 2011 - 3:44

Oh now you've done it heres another question - If you suspect a fungus problem eg velvet - by using a medication do you use the salt also or do you put salt in the water after treatment?

by **KalandraJane** Sun 23 Jan 2011 - 1:13

You can use it alongside the treatment or not at all, it's personal choice. Salt just speeds up the transfer of chemicals/meds between the water and the fish's body tissues.

by **liz2** Sun 23 Jan 2011 - 18:27

I really wouldnt use any sort of salt with snails...just in case

by **KalandraJane** Sun 23 Jan 2011 - 21:18

I haven't had problems using salt with snails, but actually I forgot about the snails and was just basing my advice on fish - I'd be very careful as snails can be very sensitive, what with basically being one big mucous membrane.

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