Aquarium vs marine salt

fishbone · 03-15-2007, 10:21 AM

Can anyone tell me what the difference is? I'm trying to determine which will be better and I know it depends on the application.
I've got some API Aquarium Salt which is made of, I quote

Quote:

All natural salt, made from evaporated sea water

Doesn't that mean it's very close, if not the same, to marine salt?
I've also got a big bag of Marineland Instant Ocean marine salt which I use for my brackish biotope.

Here's where I'm at. I have a 5.5 gallon tank with 1 dalmatian molly, 1 wagtail platty and 1 rainbow guppy and also 5 ghost shrimp. From what I can tell all these critters benefit from a bit of salt in the aquarium, especially so the shrimp which need a bit of iodine for healthy moulting.

Which type of salt should I use? Are 2 tbsp too much for 5.5 gallons?

Damon · 03-15-2007, 10:58 AM

To give a short answer, salt is salt. The main difference between various types of salt are the additives that are included with them (iodine,calcium, magnesium, ect....)

fishbone · 03-15-2007, 11:46 AM

That's what I figured but I wanted to put this thing to rest, more or less. I tried finding out exactly what the chemical additives in each, found a long laundry list of stuff for marine salt but nothing for aquarium salt.

Reefneck · 03-15-2007, 11:47 AM

It's fine to use sea salt for freshwater. I usually recommend 1 TBSP per 10G.

harif87 · 03-15-2007, 02:55 PM

Like Damon said "salt is salt". Keep in mind salt doesnt just mean NaCl.... KI is also a salt.. But i would do as Reefneck suggested, use marine salt even in FW tanks. Aquarium salt is lacking all the other dissolved solids (also as mentioned by Damon)

**Fishfirst** · 03-16-2007, 11:43 AM

NaCl should not buffer your water nor raise your pH, marine salt will but not to the extent that its harmful unless you've got very soft water.

03-15-2007, 10:58 AM	#2
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,972	To give a short answer, salt is salt. The main difference between various types of salt are the additives that are included with them (iodine,calcium, magnesium, ect....) __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

03-15-2007, 11:47 AM	#4
Reefneck Senior Aquarist Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Near a Coral Reef Age: 47 Posts: 1,351	It's fine to use sea salt for freshwater. I usually recommend 1 TBSP per 10G. __________________ I wonder how much salt mix I would need to turn our in ground pool into a Reef.

03-15-2007, 02:55 PM	#5
harif87 Minor Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Age: 21 Posts: 995	Like Damon said "salt is salt". Keep in mind salt doesnt just mean NaCl.... KI is also a salt.. But i would do as Reefneck suggested, use marine salt even in FW tanks. Aquarium salt is lacking all the other dissolved solids (also as mentioned by Damon) __________________ sorry for beating you senseless "The human torch was denied a bank loan"

03-16-2007, 11:43 AM	#6
Fishfirst Fish Guru Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Northern Wisconsin Age: 24 Posts: 3,650 Blog Entries: 5	NaCl should not buffer your water nor raise your pH, marine salt will but not to the extent that its harmful unless you've got very soft water. __________________ 210 Gal Reef w/ 55 Gallon Sump/Fuge, 125 Gal Fish Only, 65 Gal Seahorse-29 Gallon Sump, 55 Gal FOWLR, 54 Gal Corner FW Community, 20 Gal Nano FOWLR, 55 Gal Piranha, 29 gallon QT "All the yellow tangs and clownfish in the world can't save you now! hahahah" Peter from Family Guy

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03-15-2007, 11:46 AM	#3
fishbone Newbie Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Nebraska Posts: 430	That's what I figured but I wanted to put this thing to rest, more or less. I tried finding out exactly what the chemical additives in each, found a long laundry list of stuff for marine salt but nothing for aquarium salt.

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