Salt Treatment

[fecgoh]

There have been quite a confusion in the net and books regarding the use of salt dosage.

Some say it is 1 tablespoon for 5 gallons of water. Some, 1 teaspoon per gallon. Some say 1 teaspoon per 20 gallons (This is from the pet shop in Mid Valley).

Also, do you add anymore salt the next day? And is it half dosage or just 1 teaspoon or? Do you change the water before each dosage? Do you add to the main tank or just do a dip treatment? How long would the dip treatment last?

Can someone clear this confusion for me?

Thanks
Frankie

[kevkoi]

Now, what's the problem? Why are u adding salt? If there's no problem, no need to add salt. We're dealing with Discus here... Not some Marine Angel.

Salt doesn't evapourate/dissipate so u do not keep adding it. The only time salt is removed from the aquarium is thru water change. Considering that u're keeping discus and probably doing daily or every 2 days water change, u're going to find it a little tricky to keep the salt concentrations at the right level. My advice is if there's not problem, keep the salt in the kitchen.

However, if you do have to use Salt for treatment, I suggest u use 0.3ppm salt levels (0.3% salt concentration. ). Makes it easier that way... no guess work (my spoon bigger than yours!). Measure up your tank, and get it's volume in L (1L = 1kg). ) 0.3% of the weight of the water in the tank = to the weight of salt you should put in. At 0.3%(or ppm, same thing) salt, all problems salt can treat will be treated. This 0.3% is recommended for long term treatment... ie u can keep the fish in there for up to 2 weeks.

A salt dip.... now that's a dangerous thing to try. That uses 1% salt solution (ie pretty close to Sea water), and u put the fish in for 2 min (or until it goes on it's side.. whichever comes first.) This burns off any external parasites (doesn't work on flukes though)..... I don't suggest u do the salt dip.

There's no need to keep salt in the water long term. I don't.

[fecgoh]

Hai kevkoi,

No special reason but just to get the dosage correct if I encounter any problem.

I got this salt specially for treating freshwater fish when I bought my other medication. So far the medication works so I'll put aside the salt.

What make me ask is because there is a confusion between the books I got, the instructions that comes with salt and the advice of the people selling it.

Frankie

[kevkoi]

When in doubt, refer to books.... That's my advice. Not some store guy at a fish shop. These guys may know their thing very well (hence some really good advice) or they may know nothing (which might mean u have dead fish)... better stick to published texts.

[WHY]

is the way to go mate (I know I'm off topic here)

I've a standing rule on meds: Keep them locked out of sight.

All too often when you are getting into the hobby, its tempting to dump the meds in the tank at the first sign of trouble. I mean, so many types of meds, each promising to do multiple wonders for your discus. Wonder of wonders, one bottle cures cloudy eyes, fish scratching, internal parasites, adds vitality and color !! It's darn tempting to go for the bottle than wait to observe symptoms and/or rectify water conditions.

I know I've done this before and killed more than I've cured . Less is more in keeping discus. Shall get off my soapbox now.

[Orient]

I would recommend salt for any sign of diseases that your discus gets. I would say that it is the miracle medicine for them..
I'm a breeder/hobbyist and I only use salt as my treatment for ill discus. Chuck aside all those potassium, formalin, Malachite and Methylene. These chemicals tends to push your sick fish to the limit..essentially killing them if proper dosage are not administered..
The following are some easy to use dosage:
For prolonged immersion (24hours) - Make a 25% water change before hand. Add 5 grams of salt per liter. Keep this treatment for 2 days. generally kills all the external parasites and bacteria especially flukes!!
For serious cases ( salt bath) - Take a small pail or tank. Add 15 grams of salt per liter. Put the sick discus. The tolerance of each discus varies. Generally ranges from 3 - 30 mins. Watch them carefully till they tilt over. U should also see interesting discoloration of the discus. When they tilt, remove and put back in normal freshwater. This treatment can be repeated as many times as neccessary..try to keep an hour between baths.
I can assure you that tis is my regular mode of treatment and it works for me.
Dont worry bout the salt level..they can take it