Salting for fish health

RupertofOZ

TCL wrote:

Some of the reading perhaps comes from mineralized nutrients but I expect that amount to be pretty minor in this situation.

Yep... they'll be reading in ppm.... so allowing for +- error, you're probably pretty close to your 3ppt

Be interesting to compare results with one of those salinity refractometers.... might have to get one myself... already have a Bluelab.... just never had to measure "salt"....

TCLynx

Benefits of salt. (each use may have different levels of application.)

1- help against nitrite toxicity
2- reduce fish stress (help with osmotic pressure)
3- killing off parasites (white spot, and is it itch or ich or ick?)
4- short, strong salt dips/baths can help healing wounds or parasites (also common practice with new fish before introducing them into general population)

I was under the impression that there might be some benefit with salt against other disease like virus or bacteria but I've not really gotten any confirmation of this. Can some one shed a little light about the effectiveness of salt against;
a- bacterial infections
b- viral infections
c- fungal problems

Thanks

RupertofOZ

Most viral and bacterial infections are probably only treatable by antibiotics...

Some fungal problems should react to salt treatments...

Salt is beneficial to damaged tissues, lesions and ulcers infected by bacteria... and will promote healing and mucus production...

(Main systems down at the moment, so I can't access my bookmarks.... :mad:

)

Since Ich is a coolwater protozoan, raising the temperature temperature to 85 F for three weeks, will kill the free-swimming forms before they have a chance to reinfect the fish.

Bacteria on the other hand thrive in warm water conditions, so lowering the water temperature may assist healing...

EllKayBee

Ich is short for (Ichthyophthirius multifilis) TC

http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/disease/p/ich.htm

steve

TCLynx, top stuff, mate!

10ppt will knock saprolegenia (a fungus) on its head nicely

Kelly

I like things spelt out real easy.Now I know this is written in here somewhere as I've read it, but forget this gallons etc. measurement.Please pretty please can someone give me the basic metric quantity. ie: 1ppt = 1 gram per 100 lt or is that wrong

RupertofOZ

Easiest way to remember Kelly... is 1kg/1000L = 1ppt

Kelly

Thanks Rupe, knew it was simple just needed a quick answer.Brain not working and got 1 or 2 sick fish to try to deal with tonight.

RupertofOZ

How sick and what symptoms Kelly??? ... 1ppt is a "general" tonic.. especially in relation to "nitrite" poisoning and stress relief...

But parasites/disease might require going to at least 3ppt.... please post back...

Aquastud

On the subject of measuring the amount of salt in water, whats wrong with using a salt water hydrometer? The measurement is in specific gravity where fresh water is 1.000 and salt water (ocean water) is in between 1.020 - 1.025. Not sure what the conversion ratio to ppm is, but when I dosed a tank to 6 ppm the hydrometer reading went from 1.000 to 1.005.

RupertofOZ

Can be done... but generally we're dealing with between 1-3ppt... occasionally up to 6ppt...

Most people couldn't be bothered trying to convert from SG to ppt.... especially when you can buy a salinity refractometer on eBay for about $40 or less... calibrated in ppt...

yabbie

Rupe do the refractometors show that low ppt?

RupertofOZ

Yep ... from 0 - 100 ... and both myself and F&F have tested them against seawater...

They're surprisingly accurate.... get the "ATC" ... auto temperature correcting ones... they also have a screw nob that can be used to calibrate against distilled water if need be...

I've never bothered... or needed to...

yabbie

Cheers

Kelly

Thanks for the concern Rupe, it's a little off topic under this heading, but at this stage I think we've saved the fish.It looks like a bit of fin rot but not if that makes sence. Mainly in the tail fin, bit maingy and blood shot.Salted to about 4ppt overnight then added a finrot solution that we had( looked like it wouldn't do any harm).Anyway got home from work and fish look alright.

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