Adding Salt to a Freshwater Tank
Good morning Cool...
I'd recommend adding a teaspoon of standard aquarium salt to every five gallons of your water change water. I've used it in my "Livebearer" tanks for several years and never had a disease in any of my tanks. I also keep a large number of Corydoras, fish that are supposedly salt sensative and all my fish are very healthy.
I started researching salt use about six years ago and have found many more advantages than disadvantages in using it. Aquarium salt has been used for decades at a general "tonic" for freshwater fish. Tropical fish are prone to different skin diseases and most of these pathogens can't tolerate even a trace of salt in the water.
Most tap water is very low is disolved salts compared to many fish raising areas, so a little salt in the water has a calming affect on tropical fish, making it easier for them to acclaimate to new water conditions, because oxygen passes through a fish's gills more easily with a trace of salt in the water. Essentially, salt makes it easier for the fish to breath.
As you know, this is a very controversial subject. But, like I say, I've been using a teaspoon in every five gallons of my water change water and change a minimum of half the water every week in my large tanks.
It's funny, but so many aquarists will recommend using salt as a treatment for disease, but discourage it's use on a regular basis to keep the diseases from starting in the first place.
Just one, old "waterkeeper's" opinion.
B