Iodized Table Salt for Aquarium

[nagukush]

Hi Friends,

I always add a little bit of Salt to all my Aquariums (at water changes) and I feel that my Fish seem to like it and stay healthy. What I'm adding now is the cheap sea salt crystals that are available here for human consumption. I want to switch over to the normal Iodized Table Salt but just wanted to be sure that Iodine will not be harmful to my fish. I read in a book that it is safe, as Iodine is supplemented in Marine Tanks but again we are talking about my Freshwater Frontosa tank - so just wanted to be sure.

Kindly guide me if its ok, Friends...
Thanks and Regards
Kush

 

[BettaFishMommy]

as far as i know, iodized table salt is not recommended for aquariums.

i used to use a bit of salt in my tanks but stopped. i read that freshwater fish need freshwater, and adding salt is not necessary. when i stopped adding salt my fish at the time had no change in behaviour or appearance, and it was one less thing i had to worry about when doing tank maintenance.

there are many on each side of the fence here, i'm sure you will get many varied responses.

 

[Lupin]

Iodide and additives added will not harm the fish but you certainly are adding salt for no reason. It's not really necessary and practically a waste of time and money IMO.

 

[REDKAHUNA]

Kosher salt is not iodized and much cheaper than Sea salt Aquarium salt etc. and comes in a big box. Around here about $2.00. Its what I hatch my shrimp in.

 

[KarlTh]

The iodine is harmless. However, the salt is unnecessary

 

[snoopy65]

If I have to use salt for any reason in a freshwater tank, I grab the table salt. Salt is not necessary for everyday use in most freshwater situations though.

 

[nagukush]

Thanks a lot for caring and for guiding me Friends. Honestly, I just add salt because I've always done that to all my tanks and also because I read in an Ad Konnings book that adding salt can be beneficial as it relieves the fish of its osmotic burden...

So should I completely stop using Salt now ?

 

[Wycco]

From what I understand any inverts you have that go through moulting- will appreciate iodine in the water.

 

[CWO4GUNNER]

Salt is not necessary and not good in your main tank but I do use 1 Tsp per 10 gallons in my hospital tank especially if fish are stressed. I also use kosher pure salt labeled to have no additives. Be careful of the new marketing trend toward Sea salt which is just a ploy as manufactures are turning toward sea salt beds which is much cheaper to produce formed from the natural evaporation of ocean water, made by the ocean pools near a protected shorelines and containing all of todays modern industrial contaminants. Non sea salt has to be mined from million year old anchient sea beds underground and is very pristine containing none of the modern polutants provided to you in todays "all natural" sea salt.

 

[coach_z]

Thanks a lot for caring and for guiding me Friends. Honestly, I just add salt because I've always done that to all my tanks and also because I read in an Ad Konnings book that adding salt can be beneficial as it relieves the fish of its osmotic burden...

So should I completely stop using Salt now ?

if you want to stop then you should stop. I wouldnt bother adding salt unless i had to (eg, ick treatment). if this practice has worked for you for so long why change what you are doing? Also, keep in mind that scaleless fishes (cories for example) do not tolerate salt well and you should not add salt to their tanks. a quick google search will help you find out if all your fish are compatible with salt.

-chris