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Post by Carl on Feb 14, 2017 13:30:12 GMT -5
I have updated the "Aquarium/Pond Answers" article "Salt/Sodium Chloride use in Freshwater Aquariums" Here are a couple of excerpts from the article: "Basically, a salt is a neutral compound composed of cations (positively charged ions) bound to anions (negatively charged ions). A more in depth description is that “salts” are ionic compounds held together by electrostatic attraction of positively charged metal cations and the negatively charged anions. These Ions can be simple molecules, as in sodium chloride, or more complex groups such as calcium carbonate. What I am driving at is that salts consist of more than just Sodium Chloride (what we generally refer to as salt is sodium chloride), and salts in general are IMPORTANT electrolytes necessary for biochemistry and osmoregulation in fish. Without salts fish and other biochemical processes would cease.
Salt is best used therapeutically with most fish, not on an ongoing basis. Long term use can detrimentally affect osmoregulation in most freshwater fish. As well salt (sodium chloride) best used in the average community aquarium (not brackish fish) these two ways:
* Temporary fish baths, often combined with other therapies including antibiotics and Methylene Blue. * Therapeutically in community aquariums during times of stress where by sodium chloride is only introduced when new fish are added, injury, or sick fish. Then the salt (sodium chloride) is slowly removed again. As an example, Sodium Chloride is a proven treatment for Columnaris (even in salt sensitive catfish) as per a University of Auburn study.Reference: www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2008/03/salt-in-freshwater-aquariums.htmlCarl
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Post by Carl on Mar 26, 2017 9:23:29 GMT -5
I have updated the Salt Use in Freshwater article here is an excerpt: "*Fact, based on much research and my own experience both anecdotal in 1000s of aquariums and with experiments, salt can and does help or even cure some fish maladies such as Columnaris or simple sores. HOWEVER salt is NOT a cure all and often fails as a salt only Ich treatment, especially with certain fish. Tests also show that use of sodium chloride for Ich often will take longer to affect a cure, often resulting in fish death as this treatment is simply not effective enough for a virulent Ich infestation. The facts are most uses of sodium chloride salt in freshwater are better for prevention or mild treatment (with the possible exception of a major university study in treatment of Columnaris already noted earlier). The improper use of salt does not make it a "dated method" any more than Newton's law of gravity. So when aquarium keepers with little real science based experience in fish disease treatment and prevention use this argument, especially since is usually just a small part of many effective treatments, I would suggest simply ignore them as the science and credible experience states otherwise. *Salt is best used therapeutically with most fish, not on an ongoing basis. Long term use can detrimentally affect osmoregulation in most freshwater fish. As well salt (sodium chloride) best used in the average community aquarium (not brackish fish) these two ways: Temporary fish baths, often combined with other therapies including antibiotics and Methylene Blue. Therapeutically in community aquariums during times of stress where by sodium chloride is only introduced when new fish are added, injury, or sick fish. Then the salt (sodium chloride) is slowly removed again. As an example, Sodium Chloride is a proven treatment for Columnaris (even in salt sensitive catfish) as per a University of Auburn study. In the end, keeping sodium chloride in an aquarium all the time will not help with disease resistance in freshwater fish, better is the use of mineral Cations that lower oxidative stress (such as AAP Wonder shells) It is noteworthy that the constant use of sodium chloride can actually increase a fish' susceptibility to disease and parasites by keeping the fish somewhat stressed all the time, which along with oxidative stress, weakens the immune system."Reference: www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2008/03/salt-in-freshwater-aquariums.htmlCarl
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