Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

i have seen several kinds of salt in hardware stores much cheaper then fish stores, but not sure if it is ok to use? i saw a huge bag cheap that said "water softner salt", will that work?

I use pool salt. Sold in 20 or 25kg bags for about $7-$8.

The only salt I believe you shouldn't use is table salt as it contains anti-caking agent in it. Not sure why but its generally not recommended to use it on this forum.

Yep pure salt which is what pool salt is here in OZ is the go

How much salt should be in the system???

Water softener salt may have additives, just check for pure pool salt.

Marty most people have 1 part per thousand. 1 kg/1000 litres. Bunnings pool salt or from any pool shop as long as it is pure salt.

I have a bag of salt here used for a Marine aquarium, is it safe to use that? or is there some additive the plants/freshwater fish dont like?

Also how are you measuring your salt ppm? which instruments?

thanks in advance.

I would think that would be safe MartyH - probably a lot more $$$ than your average bag of salt from a pool shop or hardware store.

To measure just use some scales - 1kg per 1000 liters is 1ppt.

If you already have salt in your system and want to maintain the level then you will need a refractometer. You can pick them up on eBay fairly cheap.

One more tip: I like to take a bucket of water from my system and dissolve the salt in it before adding it back to my system.

Thank you Arbe.

The old refractometer, forgot about him.

I haven't added salt to the system yet, and yeah marine salt is probably a little more $$$ but as its sitting around doing nothing I think I will add it to my FT tomorrow.

yep thats what i did, but i was worried all that salt dissolved would hit them too hard.

No problems they should be fine

http://www.mortonsalt.com/for-your-home/water-softening/water-softening-salts/72/morton-solar-salt-crystals/

Morton® Solar Salt is crystallized by the sun and wind from natural salt brine held in open ponds. These high purity salt crystals are harvested, washed and kiln dried to remove remaining moisture. With no additives, it’s an excellent, natural choice for treating your hard water. Morton® Solar Salt is 99.8% pure salt.

Just picked up a 40lb. bag at the local Wally world for $6.

Thats a Green sell if ever I have seen one.

it's weird that all this and a lot more info shows up after a search for terms like 'salt' or 'salting'

or to get really advanced 'salt dip'

comeon dude, do the search magic!

people been talking about this shit for YEARS...no need to make them repeat themselves!

/bitchy

I had a similar problem and had to give the fish a "fish Bath" using NON-Iodised salt.... worked a treat and no more fish lost.... .

I used SAXA - All Natural Rock Salt. Fish are all happy and healthy

Oh I don't disagree at all ccB. But it was something like 48 cents more expensive than that non-naturally evaporative choice sitting next to it. The quick thinking on the fly was, "If all they do is evaporate it and bag it then there can't be TOO much in it to screw up my system, including the fish."