Are there any alternatives for a saltinity tester.

Lyss · Dec 17, 2021

Obsessed with fish said:
Ok ill convert it back to fresh right now. My mum will be angry she had to spend 30 bucks on salt, ill just pretend its still brackish so i don't get in trouble! Ill do anything for little samurai. He was the 1st fish I got out of 24, he's the one who brought me into this amazing hobby. The last thing I want to do is kill him. Anyway I need to go do some water changes!

Sorry if that came across as harsh. But I agree w/the above that it would likely quickly result in kidney problems and you'd see dropsy (edema) as the end result. Can't save a fish from that once it starts.

Obsessed with fish · Dec 17, 2021

Lyss said:
Sorry if that came across as harsh. But I agree w/the above that it would likely quickly result in kidney problems and you'd see dropsy (edema) as the end result. Can't save a fish from that once it starts.

Yes, dropsy the worst

Obsessed with fish · Dec 17, 2021

LiveFreeAndReef said:
If its reef salt then at least you have extra! (just keep it as sealed as you can, any moisture will muck it up) And if it's normal aquarium salt then it's good to have in case of Ich, fungal infections, and parasites

I don't have a saltwarer tank... I'm on this forum because I needed help with future stocking but decided not to get a salt water aquarium. I do have a TINY hospital tank i could convert into a pico with no fish (its to small for any fish) then the salt wouldn't go to waste. Or i could get a large jar and make it a pico. If I did that it wouldn't be for a long time. Or I could plant a mangrove in the 1/2 gallon and make a brackish terrarium. Ill make a separate thread

Koh23 · Dec 17, 2021

Had many betas in time, always in just good old water from pipe, newer had problems....

Dont fix whats not broken.....

Small amount of salt is good to prevent diseases, but, really, not necessary... And again, not reef salt, if j remember correctly

Lyss · Dec 17, 2021

Koh23 said:
Had many betas in time, always in just good old water from pipe, newer had problems....

Dont fix whats not broken.....

Small amount of salt is good to prevent diseases, but, really, not necessary... And again, not reef salt, if j remember correctly

Yes, not reef salt. Aquarium salt can be used in place of medication to treat diseases -- in small amounts and only when needed.

Obsessed with fish · Dec 17, 2021

Lyss said:
Yes, not reef salt. Aquarium salt can be used in place of medication to treat diseases -- in small amounts and only when needed.

Koh23 said:
Had many betas in time, always in just good old water from pipe, newer had problems....

Dont fix whats not broken.....

Small amount of salt is good to prevent diseases, but, really, not necessary... And again, not reef salt, if j remember correctly

Okie thanks

HomebroodExotics · Dec 17, 2021

Don't do salt. However Indian almond leaves, driftwood, and other sources of tannins he would greatly appreciate.

Also you can use the salt to raise brine shrimp for your betta. Look up how to do that it's easy and fun.

Obsessed with fish · Dec 17, 2021

HomebroodExotics said:
Don't do salt. However Indian almond leaves, driftwood, and other sources of tannins he would greatly appreciate.

Also you can use the salt to raise brine shrimp for your betta. Look up how to do that it's easy and fun.

I do have some Indian almond leaves in my fish cupboard. I'll order some brine shrimp eggs right now

Townsaquaria · Dec 17, 2021

No marine salt for bettas. You're thinking of freshwater aquarium salt which is different. You can find that sold by API at any PetSmart or Petco. Bettas can be kept in total dirty mud water and be fine, but your local tap water is perfect unless you're on a well.

Idech · Dec 17, 2021

Obsessed with fish said:
It is 3 years old now, its lived in fresh water its whole life until now

It’s had a good life so far, why do you want to ruin that ?

Get some mollies if you want to convert a fish from fresh to salt.

Obsessed with fish · Dec 17, 2021

Townsaquaria said:
No marine salt for bettas. You're thinking of freshwater aquarium salt which is different. You can find that sold by API at any PetSmart or Petco. Bettas can be kept in total dirty mud water and be fine, but your local tap water is perfect unless you're on a well.

Thanks!