The Puffer Forum

Hi Everyone , I have been reading alot on the forum and I have come to the conclusion that I am using the wrong salt for my Puffer tank . I am currently using Dr Well Fish Aquarium salt. I have read that I should be using a full Marine salt , should I change this and if Yes how should I go about doing to as I am sure they would react badly to a swift change in salt make N effect ?

Many Thanks in advance

Just change to marine salt in the water changes. Pre-mix the salt so its fully dissolved in water before adding it to your tank. If you add the same amount of marine salt as you were doing with the aquarium salt in a few weeks time all the aquarium salt will be out of there and then you can continue along with just marine salt.

Cheers I will do that ! Whats the difference between pure marine salt and Aquarium Salt ?

Marine (ocean water) is made up of a specific blend of minerals, substances, etc, salt is only one of a few.

Marine mixes, such as Instant Ocean, have the correct balance.

"Aquarium Salt" is just salt. Well, there's probably other things in there too, but we don't know what they are and they certaintly don't make "ocean water". They just make water with some salt in it.

Brackish water is where oceans meet freshwater sources, so they need a blend of ocean and freshwater, obviously. Not a blend of freshwater and more freshwater with some salt added.

This is also where the confusion comes in with African Cichlids.. some say they are brackish. They DO come from lakes with a salt content, but it is not the same chemical makeup as ocean water. They have their own blend of minerals and salts that are unique to their environment, leeched out of the surrounding rocks and soils. They have their own special "mix".

Thanks , thats brilliant . I am on my way to the LFS ASAP.

They say you learn something new everyday and thats mine for today !

Cheers

While you're at that store, pick up a hydrometer that starts at 1.000, to measure the salt content.