Aquarium Salt

[BP1913]

I have 2 Iridescent and 1 Columbian shark (both approx. 1.5 inches in length) in a 10 gallon tank. Yes I will be upgrading to a much larger tank shortly, but my question is how much aquarium salt should be added to make the water "brackish" and how often? Also, I do a 10 - 15% water change a couple times weekly during the cycling process...should I add salt to the new water before putting it in? If so, how much?
Thanks in advance

[racoll]

You should not use aquarium salt, but instead use marine/reef salt. Aquarium salt is not suitable, as it doesn't contain the right kind of salt balance for brackish water fish.

The iridescent shark (

Pangasius hypophthalmus

) will not appreciate the salt though, as it is a freshwater fish, unlike the brackish water Colombian shark.

Sadly the Pangasius has no place in an aquarium. I would think hard about keeping this fish at all.

Don't mean to sound negative, just explaining the way it is!

[BP1913]

haha will the salt kill the iridescent shark (Pangasius hypophthalmus)?

[MatsP]

haha will the salt kill the iridescent shark (Pangasius hypophthalmus)?

Given enough of it, yes. Long before it harms an adult Colombian shark, for sure (although both will probably meet their maker if you suddenly change from a freshwater setup to a marine salinity level all at once - the change must be done gradually for the Columbian shark).

--
Mats

[racoll]

In answer to your first question, you need to start carrying out your weekly 10% water changes using pre-mixed brackish water at a specific gravity of 1.005. Gradually over many weeks, your tank will be at 1.005. Then, as your Colombian shark catfish (

Hexanematichthys seemanni

) gets older, you can increase the salt concentration to say 1.010, 1.015 or maybe even full seawater at 1.025 eventually.

Remember to carry out any top-ups with freshwater.

You will need a hydrometer to measure the salinity.

Some more information is here:

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/BrackishSubW ... rmonks.htm

http://www.scotcat.com/articles/article84.htm

http://www.planetcatfish.com/cotm/cotm. ... icle_id=63

[sidguppy]

Yes I will be upgrading to a much larger tank shortly

believe me, it won't be enough

while I could type a whole rant, my single typefinger is getting tired so I'll just dump a picture:

this is your iridescent shark....
imagine it swimming like it does now
then imagine your "soon to be set up big tank"


savvy?