Question: Aquarium salt in tank?

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axiebeans

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A lady at work who owns a freshwater tank (not axies) said I should be putting a teaspoon of aquarium salt in my tank for every gallon I add back into my tank after water change? I find this strange and I don't think my axies would like it very much.

Could someone please advise me on why she would think a freshwater tank would need this or why I should do it if I should?
 
That seems like way too much for fresh water. I saw a recommendation elsewhere to add a teaspoon per TEN gallons. I wouldn't even do that; salinity will increase with evaporation and eventually you've got brackish water. I've seen recommendations to dip axolotls in saltwater for specific disease treatment, but they specify a short time. If your tank is stable and axies healthy, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."
 
You don't need to add salt. Too much salt is bad for axolotls. Some people add a low dose to reduce the likelihood of fungus, and a low dose is OK. (Search through old threads to find the recommended low dosage -> NOT SALT BATH DOSAGE <- if you want to try this.)
 
I add a tablespoon of marine salt per 10 gallons on axolotl tanks.
 
I was sure it sounded wonky. Thanks all for your input. I don't remember why she said I should do it. I just know she has a 180 gallon with lots of different kinds of fish and what not. Either way I told her im pretty sure that would be bad. I have had to give one of my axies a salt bath before so I am familiar with that process and amount of salt.

Either way I will not be adding Salt into my tank sounds looney toons.
 
Good on you axiebeans, I wouldn't either and I don't know much at all... Its like christine said, 'if it ain't broke don't fix it".
 
Not adding any salt is a novice mistake.
 
Why is not adding salt a mistake? What does the salt help with? (actually curious not being snarky) :)
 
michael said:
Not adding any salt is a novice mistake.
Click to expand...

I am more than curious... I know novices make mistakes (being a novice myself) and thats pretty much why I'm on here, for advice so I don't make mistakes.. I have great concern for the care and safety of animals, but I need to know the pros and cons of adding salt or not. Can you let us know the benefits of adding salt??...or can anyone tell us?
I won't add salt unless I find out that not adding salt is harming my axolotl's... So can some one please respond.....Thanx
 
It depends entirely on what minerals are already present in your tap water. All animals need certain ions for biological processes. The major ones are calcium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium, with carbonate and chloride being important as well. Marine salt or Holtfreters solution adds these ions into the water. Most mammals get all these nutrients from dietary sources. It is unknown how much of these bioactive ions can be absorbed from the environment, but a deficiency will cause harm. So I would say that it is safer to err on the side of caution. Animals that are adapted to living in mineral rich hard water are more likely to benefit from adding minerals to the water. I personally do not supplement plain salt (NaCl) in my tanks, only calcium. My water has plenty of sodium present already, that is renewed every time I do a water change. I would recommend taking a look at the water report for your area, and adjusting a supplementation routine from there. Too high a salinity will cause stress on an animal long term as they try to osmoregulate. Hope that helps!
 
You Know, I've read thousands of threads and I've gotten to know the regular names of those who know what they're talking about, and you're one of them, who openly share their knowledge with us novice's. Your very explicit answer has helped heaps. Much much better than adding salt because some one tells you to... Having been a pool manager in this area for 16 years, I know the quality of our water and I'm relieved that I don't need to add salt... Thank you Rachel1, thank you very much..
 
Many keepers offer advice on this forum that is neither based on practical experience or respected published husbandry advice.

I use axolotl.org, "Developmental Biology of the Axolotl" by Armstrong and Malachinski, "Amphibian Medicine" by Wright and Whitaker, and The Ambystoma Genetic Stock Center web site as expert sources for axolotl husbandry information. Recently I acquired 'Axolotl ..." by Lolly Brown. This book also gives good axolotl care advice. All of these sources state that axolotls do best in hard water. If your water is not hard salts of some kind should be added. Many recommend Hoftretter's solution. I use marine salt because it is less expensive and more readily available. I also use marine salt for hatching nauplii larvae. My water is hard and I still add salt.


The information on caudataculture and axolotl.org has been vetted more than the information on caudata.org and is more reliable for that reason. The numerous axolotl forums, caudata.org, and facebook pages are a mix of advice.
 
This is what my city says about our water.


The Bow River supplies the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant and the Elbow River flows into the Glenmore Reservoir, which is the source of water for the Glenmore Water Treatment Plant. The Bearspaw Plant primarily supplies water to the north sector of the city, while the Glenmore plant supplies the south.


Water from the Bow and Elbow rivers is considered 'hard' because of the amount of calcium and magnesium in the water.
 
michael said:
Many keepers offer advice on this forum that is neither based on practical experience or respected published husbandry advice.

I use axolotl.org, "Developmental Biology of the Axolotl" by Armstrong and Malachinski, "Amphibian Medicine" by Wright and Whitaker, and The Ambystoma Genetic Stock Center web site as expert sources for axolotl husbandry information. Recently I acquired 'Axolotl ..." by Lolly Brown. This book also gives good axolotl care advice. All of these sources state that axolotls do best in hard water. If your water is not hard salts of some kind should be added. Many recommend Hoftretter's solution. I use marine salt because it is less expensive and more readily available. I also use marine salt for hatching nauplii larvae. My water is hard and I still add salt.


The information on caudataculture and axolotl.org has been vetted more than the information on caudata.org and is more reliable for that reason. The numerous axolotl forums, caudata.org, and facebook pages are a mix of advice.
Click to expand...

I don't doubt your ability to research or the wealth of knowledge you have, but your first statement is based on opinion rather than fact. Rachel1's explanation is excellent and obviously its not just off the cuff, she knows what she's talking about... Being an Engineer by profession, I know that anything will work on paper, but the reality is, physical experience bare's the real truth... I won't administer anything to any animal unless I know what it doe's and what the side effects are...
However, I must thank you for the reference's you've given. I've viewed the first one and must admit, it is heavy reading.. But the other reference's you've given has renewed my hope's in finding further treatment for one of my sick axolotl's...

so thank you very much for that...
 
Micheal's not wrong. I think his advice is sound. I was just offering further explanation. As mentioned, deficiencies are known to cause harm. Adding minerals to the water is not. You would have to add a lot of salt to raise the salinity to physiologically stressful levels.
 
I'm not questioning his advice and you didn't just give further explanation, you gave the only explanation and I'm very appreciative of that. But what bothered me was what seemed like an attack on all those who give advice, including yourself, and Caudata,org. I have learned a lot from this site, it's articles and links, but most of all from those like you who take the time and effort to give or share your knowledge and experience with us. For that alone I am so grateful... I apologize if I have offended you and Michael but I hope you can appreciate my point of view.. Thanx
 
Not offended. I appreciate your kind remarks above.? Just wanted to make sure I was communicating clearly.
 
I have noticed a couple times a tiny bit of white fluffy stuff growing inside some of the hides. Ive done water tests and my levels are fine except a very tiny amount of ammonia less than 0.25 so I have to assume this is the cause of the ammonia. I have cleaned the hides and am putting them back in the tank.

I know that adding a little salt would prevent this so I guess I will try it. I have also heard that it will help water evaporate and keep tank cooler? is that true?
 
Hi axiebeans... I know when saltwater evaporates the salinity increases and so does the buoyancy. I don't know about keeping the tank cooler.
It sounds like water supply is much like ours which is some what on the hard side containing calcium and magnesium, which is why I chose not to add salt.

Below is part of an article extracted from "Axolotl.org"

Water Hardness & Dissolved Salts
Axolotls prefer somewhat hard water, and those that live in
soft water will often suffer from temporary anaemia -
the animal becomes pale and its gills lose their colouration
for a few minutes or hours. This is not a dangerous condition
but it can be prevented by supplementing the hardness of the
water with added salts.
Currently, I live in an area in which the water is a little
on the soft side. I regularly supplement it with added salts.
Laboratories use one of two types of salt mixture
(each is known as a medium) in their water: Holtfreter's solution
and Steinberg's solution.

I hope this helps :)
 
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