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I am cycling a new tank that I am going to get a couple of Cichlids for.
My brother has a freshwater tank that he adds a small amount of salt to. He has a variety of fish but I don't think they need brackish water. He just does it to keep them healthy.
I have heard the a little salt helps the gills, keeps the water clean and provides essential electrolytes the fish need.
Is this true?
Should I add salt?
Thank You

This is a very debatable topic. There are those who claim that salt seems to benefit their fish, and that they've "always" used salt in their tanks with no problems. Others think that salt is a waste of time. I myself have never seen any conclusive data that proves that aquarium salt is helpful or hurtful. It is tough to say for sure what salt will do in an aquarium, so I don't mess with it. Personally, I don't like to use any additives (besides a dechlorinator) in my tank anyhow. I figure also that not buying salt saves me that much money, money which I can spend on something else.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

I have not used salt for too many years and then I only used it for Livebearers.

As SB said it is very debatable many like and as many dislike it.

I am sure there are some fish that cannot tolerate salt at all.

Keith

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