How to Add Epsom Salt to a Betta Fish Aquarium

Epsom salts are not actually made of sodium. They are made from magnesium which makes them a better choice to use in a fish tank. If your beta fish become sick with something like dropsy, you will want to treat them with Epsom salts and not aquarium salts. Aquarium salts are sodium, and the fish cannot remove sodium from their bodies.

Things You'll Need

• Epsom salt
• Aquarium
• Measuring spoon

Instructions

1. Determine the number of gallons of water in your beta tank; it will help determine the amount of Epsom salt you will use. You should add 1/8 teaspoon of Epsom salt for every 5 gallons of water in your tank. So if you have a 15 gallon tank, you will want to use 3/8 teaspoon of Epsom salt.

2. Sprinkle the Epsom salt in the beta fish tank.

3. Clean the fish tank in two to three days. If the fish is still sick, add the same amount of Epsom salt to the fresh water. If the beta is better, you can discontinue the use of the salt.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep the fish tank's temperature between 76 and 82 degrees F.

• If your fish is sick, you should add more oxygen to the tank through your aeration system.

• If your beta fish does have dropsy, you will need to get a medication from your vet to use along with the Epsom salt.

References

• Healthy Beta: Fish Dropsy
• Water Shed 3: Disease Treatments for Betas