Guppy ich and aquarium salt

Hi guys! I've read that in order to prevent your guppies from getting the ich, (some say it is dormant in freshwater tanks) adding 1 teaspoon of salt per 5 gallons of water is recommended. My tank (as you can see in the photos) is full of anubias and java moss. My question for you is: will the aquarium salt harm my plants? Thank you!

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Victor on February 7, 2012 at 6:47pm

I would not suggest salt in any plantes tank. And salt imo does not prevent ich. If your fish are stressed and the parasite is in the watwr already. It will catch it. A easy cure however is raising the temperature to 85degrees F Ich does not like warm water and will leave the hosts system to find another host. You can also dose copper to kill the parasite in the water itself but beware copper is deadly to inverts and amphibians.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Stefania on February 7, 2012 at 7:15pm

Hi, thanks for your advice. My water temp is 78.8, will raise it a bit. I don't think the fish are stressed,they eat well, thay have lots of hiding places, they're not agressive...You say ich will leave the host's system to find another host...what host?other fish in the tank?that would be a disaster!:P

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by GSP on February 9, 2012 at 1:50am

Aquarium salt does harm plants, and won't help much or at all in preventing ich.

Instead:

Keep the fish as stress free as possible (few male to many female, or no/all males)
Have the water warm, and constant temperature, with an appropriate sized heater
Offer a good diet of quality foods to build strong immune system and good health

Salt content in the water has nothing to do with ich prevention. Brackish and marine fish (from saltwater environments) both are succeptible to ich!!!