Aquarium Salt Calculator

| Added in Miscellaneous

Aquarium salt is a beneficial additive for many freshwater aquariums. When used properly, it can help reduce fish stress, improve gill function, and aid in treating certain diseases.

Formula

The standard dosage for aquarium salt is:

[\text{Salt (tbsp)} = \frac{\text{Tank Volume (gallons)}}{3}]

This provides approximately 1 tablespoon per 3 gallons, which is a safe, general-purpose concentration.

Calculation Example

For a 30-gallon aquarium:

[\text{Salt} = \frac{30}{3} = 10 \text{ tablespoons}]

You would need 10 tablespoons of aquarium salt for a 30-gallon tank.

Important Guidelines

Before Adding Salt:

  • Research if your fish species tolerate salt
  • Remove any salt-sensitive plants
  • Dissolve salt in a separate container of tank water first
  • Add gradually over several hours

Salt-Sensitive Species:

  • Corydoras catfish
  • Otocinclus
  • Most loaches
  • Tetras (some species)
  • Live aquarium plants

Salt-Tolerant Species:

  • Livebearers (mollies, guppies, platies)
  • Goldfish
  • Most cichlids
  • Brackish fish

Metric Conversion

For those using liters:

[\text{Salt (tbsp)} = \frac{\text{Tank Volume (liters)}}{11.34}]

For example, a 100-liter tank would need approximately 8.8 tablespoons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Aquarium salt helps reduce stress, improve gill function, treat certain parasites, and can aid in healing wounds. It is not the same as marine salt.

No. Some fish like scaleless species (catfish, loaches) and certain plants are sensitive to salt. Research your specific species before adding salt.

Salt does not evaporate, so only add salt when doing water changes. Add proportional to the amount of new water being added, not the total tank volume.

No. Table salt contains iodine and anti-caking agents that can harm fish. Use only pure aquarium salt or non-iodized salt without additives.