Can Salt Disrupt The Cycling Process?

[Guest NIMO]

Reason being I have a sick fish that might need it. Thanks!

[Trinket]

It depends at what level you have the salt. I see you are running 0.2%. This is okay. Beneficial bacteria can die off somewhat with higher levels of salt in tank set-ups that are not stable. 0.2% should be fine. This level will also protect your fishes gills from the damaging long-term health effects of nitrites in the water.

The main problem with salting while cycling is the dosage one. Daily partial water changes= replacing exactly the salt taken out and unless you keep a log meticulously its very easy to overdose which will set back the cycle and also not be good for the fish.

[Erinaceus]

It depends at what level you have the salt. I see you are running 0.2%. This is okay. Beneficial bacteria can die off somewhat with higher levels of salt in tank set-ups that are not stable. 0.2% should be fine. This level will also protect your fishes gills from the damaging long-term health effects of nitrites in the water.

The main problem with salting while cycling is the dosage one. Daily partial water changes= replacing exactly the salt taken out and unless you keep a log meticulously its very easy to overdose which will set back the cycle and also not be good for the fish.

Hi Trinket. I was wondering ... does that mean that it's even advisable to use low concentrations of salt when cycling with fish in the tank?

[Trinket]

During the nitrite phase of cycling its definitely a good idea to salt. Some people suggest 0.1%, some 0.2%. No more. Since 0.1% is so much easier to keep track of it's probably better. There is no need or benefit at all to use salt during the first ammonia phase.