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Hi there,
someone else on this site has stated
that the planted tank gurus suggested to her
to add Epsom salts to her aquarium with each
water change?
Why would this be suggested? Epsom salts kept in
regular doses in aquaria can rob fish of internal
fluids.
What benefit would this have?


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I know nothing about Epsom salt, but I have read that I should be adding sea salt to my tank of schooling fresh water fish. I have also read that I should NOT be adding ANY salt to my aquarium. I was going to post this question sometime on the forum. Since the subject has come up maybe someone will give me the answer in reply to your post. Hopefully.

I have hard well water & read that sea salt was good for soft or distilled water. Just like my post on the ph water debate........... this may be one that is a matter of opinion also.

Hi there,

Why don't you go and have a look at Matty's quote with regards to Epsom Salt in Robyn's Thread directly? I am sure your input is very welcome and probably can help with clarifying the issue.

Have fun,

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Well Sneaky, I guess it depends on what you mean by "normal doses". Excessive concentrations can be hazardous, but certainly not doses used for minor changes of water chemistry or micronutrients for plants. I've heard many reports of people using MgSO4 for medication, increasing GH, and for micronutrient supplementation - with success. Chuck's calculator show's how much to add and a target level for dosing of a planted tank. The quote I provided that LF kindly linked to showed concentrations generally used for medicinal purposes. I'm not sure that even those levels would be hazardous to fish. Places with hard water have lots of magnesium in the water to begin with. I'm just not sure that there's a problem with "normal doses". I'd be interested in any studies or even other anecdotal evidence stating otherwise, cause I haven't seen it.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Hi Sneaky

"Epsom salts kept in regular doses in aquaria can rob fish of internal fluids"

For plants - the amount used by plants is very small and poses no harm for most fish. Some fish are sensitive to salt. I used it for about 6 months with no problems noted.

For fish disease - Epson salt baths are about your best bet in treating dropsy in coldwater fish. Most commonly for goldfish and expensive koi. In this case draining the excess buildup of body fluids is the desired effect. From what I remember reading, this is more effective for coldwater fish then tropicals. This usually is used when meds have failed, or in combo with meds.



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