does anyone use aquarium salt for discus tank??

[MKD]

I saw some lf stores they put a cup of aquarium salt in discus tank. Does anyone using it and does it help????

Thank you,

MadDiscus

[Jennie]

Unless fish are ailing, no need to use it in discus tank

[discus 316]

I add a little after water changes

[kaceyo]

I agree with Jennie. If the fish aren't sick, then they need only pure water, and conditioner where needed.

[wendy9722]

I add salt after wc's and when adding new fish. It seems to calm them down. In my opinion
wendy

[cobsterrr]

I do about 3 water changes of 30 gallons on my 60G a week. After each change i add maybe a little less than a tbl spoon. It helps calm them down and condition the water slightly.

[Jhhnn]

I add salt if they seem jumpy, which apparently has a soothing effect. Not much at all- 1 tablespoon/ 50 gals. I also use about twice that much with new fish, because they can have minor abrasions. Either way, I taper it off, dilute it to nothing with water changes over time.

Denver water has very low salinity in the first place, ~150 TDS. the little bit of salt I add only brings it up to ~200 TDS.

[MKD]

Great info guys. I am thinking to use it cause after wc there 1 or 2 hiding in driftwood.

Thank you all

[cobsterrr]

Great info guys. I am thinking to use it cause after wc there 1 or 2 hiding in driftwood.

Thank you all

Just try, you have nothing to lose.

[Jennie]

leads me to believe there is a reason for that. Investigate what if any reason they may be jumpy, so that you don't lose them in long run?????? salt is a band aid

[DiscusKev]

Normal table salt works as effective as Aquarium salt. The Aquarium salt also cost more money because it is a specialised product designed for aquatic use.

[ShinShin]

Think about it - if discus water requires salt, why have they evolved in water containing virtually no mineral content? Salt is the most misused and overused chemical in the discus fishroom. If a discus appears to be jumpy after a water change, check the parameters of the tank water and ingoing water. You should be able to lay your discus on their sides, fill the tank, and see no adverse reactions.

Mat

[fishorama]

I i agree with Mat, they shouldn't need salt in any form unless it's a treatment for something...

[scottthomas]

Think about it - if discus water requires salt, why have they evolved in water containing virtually no mineral content? Salt is the most misused and overused chemical in the discus fishroom. If a discus appears to be jumpy after a water change, check the parameters of the tank water and ingoing water. You should be able to lay your discus on their sides, fill the tank, and see no adverse reactions.

Mat

+2 They are freshwater fish from bodies of water that contain virtually no salt. I can see reasons why salt is a medication but not just as general everyday use.

[Jhhnn]

leads me to believe there is a reason for that. Investigate what if any reason they may be jumpy, so that you don't lose them in long run?????? salt is a band aid

It's rare that I add salt at all, and then only a little, as I offered above. When they get jumpy, it's not about water changing, at all, but about the way they relate to each other. They play chase and peck, and sometimes it gets a little much for one in particular, nicknamed "Bash". It's the second biggest fish in the tank, but has always been the first to go into panic mode, and that can get contagious. They're schooling fish, after all. So when they get their daily 50% aged water change, I add a little salt and they seem to like it. It had been several months since their last outbreak of goofiness last saturday, at which point a little salt calmed 'em down, or seemed to. The water is good, I check it regularly and whenever they take on this kind of behavior, but find nothing wrong...

These are the blue scorps I received from Kenny in april of 2009. The RSxAF aren't afraid of anything, ever, and the WRSGx Leps (obtained form another source) have never thrived, being a little stunted with permanent rapid respiration, apparently not well cared for before coming to me. Live and learn.