Difference between Epsom salt and regular salt

[smiley]

Quick one...can presence of Epsom or Table salt effect aquarium plants?

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

at high enough concentrations, yes. a concentration of 1tbsp/5gal would have an effect, but a 1:10 or 1:20 would likely not. Much of it will also depend on the plant. There are some plants that do well in brackish water and they would be fine.

[marjan777]

ok nice info,

question please:

any of epson or regular salt have affect on good filter bacteria ???

thanks

[rickztahone]

ok nice info,

question please:

any of epson or regular salt have affect on good filter bacteria ???

thanks

no, not at all IME

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Again, the matter of concentration comes in to play, however concentrations that would have an adverse effect on your biofilter would also likely kill your Discus as well.

I think it may be important to point out yet again, that long term use of these 2 kinds of salt is not necessary and not recommended. Each has a medicinal use in the aquarium and should only be used for the period of time necessary to rectify those issues.

[lissy]

GJ 555 could you please tell me what apart from epsom salts you use for your plant fert? I have anubias and swords any help would be great!

[Eddie]

GJ 555 could you please tell me what apart from epsom salts you use for your plant fert? I have anubias and swords any help would be great!

This is a very old thread. You don't need epsom salt for good growth of the plants you have. My Anubias always grew strong and fast with zero additives in the water. Swords however, need LOTS of nutrients. I always had amazing growth using only fertilizer tabs placed into the substrate, near the roots.

[Skip]

Can epson salt be used as something to keep the fish Regular? i guess is it good to flush them out every once in awhile? esp. juvies.. since they eat soo much and everything... just wonderin...

[pcsb23]

There should be no need if their diet is anything near correct. I would think that long term use would do the fish no favours at all, imagine if you took the salts on a regular basis ....

[Willie]

Epsom salt is magnesium chloride. Table salt is sodium chloride. So these salts have very different effects on fish.

Epsom salt is used in heavy concentrations when discus get constipated. In my experience, it works pretty well. Magnesium is seldom limiting in a planted tank so it has no fertilizer effect.

Sodium chloride works at heavy doses to treat sick fish. It doesn't do anything for healthy discus.

Best of luck, Willie

[tracyk859]

Thanks for the post.
Hi guys, Im a newbie. Nice to join this forum.





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[tbone83]

great info carol, i learned something new for today!

[timmy82]

Very good post been going for some years now.

[Vikrantm1]

Hi Carol,

Please advice any specific reason you have mentioned we should dissolve it in a cup of water and then add, I generally drop it into the tank.

Thanks

[aalbina]

This is an 11 year old thread. Carol is no longer on the forum.

My opinion is that it dissolves the salt in solution prior to putting it in the tank. This will help to distribute the salt evenly through the water immediately rather than the salt dropping straight to the bottom and dissolving over time.

Adam