Last Updated on June 11, 2024 by admins
Did you know that using aquarium salt for Bettas can be both good and bad? Follow these basic guidelines on how much aquarium salt per gallon is for Betta.
Betta is a freshwater fish that lives in water with no salt content. However, you too have probably heard that aquarium salt can be used to tackle certain diseases. Aquarium salt is cheap and easily available, but it can be catastrophic if not handled properly.
If you are just a beginner to the hobby of keeping Bettas, you are probably overwhelmed by extremely confusing and contradictory information. Want to put your fish in a salt bath or quarantine, but not sure how much salt to put? No need to worry, we are here to help. Therefore, keep reading to gather all the details on how much aquarium salt per gallon for Betta.
Table of Contents
What Is Aquarium Salt?
Aquarium salt is actually the same as ordinary table salt in its chemical composition. Moreover, both have a chemical formula (NaCl), and chloride and sodium are also in a 1: 1 ratio. The main difference is that aquarium salt has no additives; it is actually obtained from evaporated seawater.
Find more information Your Number One Guide On Saltwater Aquarium Salinity Level
Aquarium Salt For Bettas – Is It Safe?
As long as you don’t overdose on the water, it is safe to use a small amount of salt in a Betta tank to treat certain conditions, or as a general preventative. However, it is important to remember that it is not advisable to routinely add aquarium salt to your Betta aquarium.
What Diseases Does Aquarium Salt Cure?
As you’ve probably heard many times, aquarium salt is a useful remedy in treating many milder fish diseases. Some of them are:
- Dropsy,
- Fin rot,
- Ich, or White Spot,
- Velvet.
It is best to use it as first aid until you find the right cure.
Find more information about Epsom Salt Aquarium Dosage
Advantages Of Using Aquarium Salt
Using this type of salt has many benefits for your aquatic pets that can deal with salinity as opposed to pathogens such as bacteria and fungi. It prevents diseases and helps treat common diseases.
Aquarium salt supports the development and maintenance of mucus, protects against parasites, and improves respiratory health with better gas exchange. It also enhances the water quality by preventing the uptake of nitrates. Because Bettas can withstand concentrations up to 40 ppm, aquarium salt helps them cope better in such conditions.
Disadvantages Of Using Aquarium Salt
Like everything else, aquarium salt for Betta fish has some drawbacks. Namely, it is not suitable for use in aquariums with scaleless fish (loaches and certain catfish) and invertebrates (snails and ghost shrimp). It is also not suitable for aquariums that have live plants.
Aquarium Salt does not evaporate and does not precipitate from the water. So, it’s important to know that you don’t have to add it all the time. Simply add it to the amount you replace when you change the water every two weeks.
Therefore, if you replace 5 gallons from a 20-gallon aquarium, add only the amount of salt for 5 gallons, not for 20.
How To Use Aquarium Salt For Betta Fish?
The most important thing is to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on the amount of aquarium salt to use. The concentration and electrolyte composition of each product varies. However, there is a universal rule for adding 1 tablespoon to 5 liters of water, which most manufacturers suggest. Such a ratio (quantity) will provide the necessary electrolytes without stressing your fish too much.
Another example: if you want to treat 10 gallons of water (to fight Ich) you need to add 5 tablespoons of salt. On the other hand, if you change 20% of the water, you have to replace 1 tablespoon of salt in new water. That way you will keep the concentration at the same level.
It is recommended to use during water changes, when your fish are more likely to be under stress, as disease prevention. Also, keep in mind that adding aquarium salt will not affect the pH as well as other parameters of water chemistry.
Aquarium Salt For Bettas In Quarantine
This is a great way to make sure the newcomers are healthy and not carrying anything that could affect your existing livestock. You can simply add 1 tablespoon of aquarium salt to 3 gallons of water.
Use this treatment for the next two weeks to kill about 60% of fish diseases that could potentially affect new fish.
Salt Baths For Betta Fish
Salt baths are a great substitute if you don’t want to dose the entire tank with salt. It can allow you to hit any disease you are treating with a much higher salt concentration, but for a much shorter period of time. Required material:
-
- 2 large containers,
- aquarium salt,
- tank water.
Step By Step Guide
- First, fill one container with 1 gallon of aquarium water and add one tablespoon of salt to it.
- Then, fill the second container with 1 gallon of aquarium water to which you will add 1/4 tablespoon of salt. It will be used for acclimatization before its return to the main tank.
- Heat the water to about 78 ° Fahrenheit.
- Take the Betta out of the aquarium and put it in a plastic bag. Allow the plastic bag (with the Betta) to float in the first container for 10 to 15 minutes to adjust to the temperature.
- Place your Betta in a salt bath in the first container for a maximum of 5 to 8 minutes.
- Then, place your Betta in the second container for 5 minutes to acclimatize before returning to the main tank.
- Finally, put it in a bag and then together with the bag in the main tank. After the temperature equalizes, let it swim freely.
In Conclusion
Recently, pharmaceutical companies have begun imposing restrictions on certain antibiotics to protect people and the environment. Therefore, we can expect that aquarium salt could soon become the first go-to treatment for many fish diseases.
The addition of aquarium salt can be useful in combating some common fish diseases such as fin rot and Ich. However, keep in mind that it is extremely important to follow these, but above all, the manufacturer’s recommendations on how much aquarium salt per gallon for Betta.
Do you also use aquarium salt for Bettas and what are your impressions? Let us know in the section below. We are expecting you!
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