table salt for QT top up?

Here's my dilemma. I ordered reef salt online yesterday, and was told I can expect it 2-3 days from now. In the mean time, I am totally out of salt. My quarantine tank has 6 fish in it (nothing else) and ammonia and nitrites are starting to rise. I can't use a detoxifier, since it would interact with the cupramine I am using.

So here's the question: how bad is it to use regular table salt for a 50% water change in the QT? Will it harm anything? Is it better to wait 2 more days for my reef salt but risk the effects of the nitrites?

 

I wouldnt use table salt, cant you get some SW from your LFS?


Luna

 

This would be a good time to look into local reef clubs. Make some new friends and then when someone needs help you are there to help, and when you may need some help they may assist you. Not to mention being able to swap frags, or pick them up at a reasonable price. 5 months ago I joined our local club and its been a real good thing.

 

can you take some from the display

 

I would most definitely not use table salt. Take some from your display tank in a pinch. Go to your LFS. Get in touch with some local reefers. PetSmart also sells salt.

 

im not sure the pet smarts up here keep salt. i know they dont keep marine fish amd such. which is good. lol. why didnt you get it from big al's? or did you find a good deal online?

 

I could buy some from Big Al's - the only issue is that I got a better deal for reef salt online, and buying from the LFS now would negate the deal. I could take a few gallons from the DT if I had to. I guess the real question is, if you are only dealing with fish and no coral, and it is for short-term, do you need all the other elements that are in commercial salt, or can table salt do in a pinch for just fish. It seems that the consensus is that it can't. Curious as to why?

 

how would they know you bought some from an lfs? and good question , is there a chemical, biological or any other al makeup of sea salt water compared to regular salt? does tqble salt which is iodized in most instances not measure up?

 

I once used a little oceanic salt on my food but dont think its good visa versa,tasted fine though.