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From: djb@cbosgd.UUCP (David J. Bryant)
Newsgroups: net.pets
Subject: Re: Soft water use in the Aquarium
Message-ID: <647@cbosgd.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 23-Nov-83 09:55:18 EST
Article-I.D.: cbosgd.647
Posted: Wed Nov 23 09:55:18 1983
Date-Received: Sat, 26-Nov-83 04:54:44 EST
References: <695@ihuxi.UUCP>, <646@cbosgd.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Columbus
Lines: 29

As I understand the operations of our Culligan self-cycling water
softener, the salt is used during the recharge cycle - the softening 
beads are backflushed with salt water to recharge the resin and 
return the softener to full operating potency.  The salty water is 
then flushed out and down the drain.  Only a very small amount of 
salt should be left behind.  Perhaps this is enough to taste, but I
would be surprised to find that it is harmful to fish, even if
allowed to accumulate over a long period of time (the original article
mentioned four years), particularly if you do periodic partial
water changes.

Additionally, some fish actually like salty water.  Some brackish-water
fish (monodactylids for example) and almost all African cichlids like
salt added to their water.  Several manufacurers make special salt
complexes that they recommend be added to the tanks of many fish.  In all 
cases, some salt is necessary since it is an electrolyte and facilitates 
fish biochemistry is a way I have heard about but can't remember.

The bottom line is, I wouldn't worry about it.  I have had aquariums for
10 years now and have never had any problem that I could attribute to
softened water or excess salt.  (Remind me to tell you sometime about a
biology experiment I was involved in that concerned measuring the salt
tolerances of guppies.)  I am much more concerned about hard water, and
wouldn't dream of putting any seashells in my fresh water tanks.

How many aquarium fanciers are out there?

	David Bryant   Bell Labs   Columbus, OH   (614) 860-4516
	(cbosg!djb)