Too salt or not to salt

**i_am_511** · 02-10-2010, 08:19 AM

For some reason i used to think cichlids were fish that needed a little salt in there water....I dont know where i came across this at. But that seed was planted in my head long ago. Has anyone else heard of fish that were supposed to have salt to find out they were 100% freshwater

**Aeonflame** · 02-10-2010, 01:15 PM

That hasnt happened to me. What I can say, was that I started out with the common old belief that salt was good for treating and preventing practically anything.

**MrDrums** · 02-10-2010, 01:31 PM

I must admit, I used salt for years and years in my frshwater tanks. I never had any problems, fish were nice and healthy, living full life-spans, etc. BUT, after joining this forum I was convinced (after been VERY stubborn hard-headed) that salt in not necessary and possibly even detrimental to the fish. So, I have not used ANY salt at all in the past year, and my tank remains healthy as ever. So, I figure it's not necessary at all on an otherwise healthy tank. Regular WC is the best treatment for any tank, IMO. Try to keep the additives at a minimum.

Now salt may come in handy to treat some diseases, like Ich, and I have heard the some African cichlids may need the salinity, but I have never kept them, so I can't say for sure.

Hope this helps.