Using Table Salt as a substitute?

[nowhereman]

Hmmm.... I am just wondering is we can use those rough salt sold in provision shops for our fish tank. Those big pack whick I think is 3kg, chicken brand or egg brand type... Used for cooking... Anyone got any idea if we can use that or must buy from local fish store?

[vinz]

As far as I know, no you can't use table salt or cooking salt. Not sure why.

[Shaihulud]

I use cooking salt for freshwater fishes, don't really see the harm in it. I wouldn't use it to substitute for marine tanks though.

[jacian]

Yes, you may use it if it is not iodized. Some say the iodine added may be harmful to the fish. Also, you may want to ensure that it contains no additives. Common salt should not be used as marine salt as it lack of the buffers that marine salt has.

[nowhereman]

Yes, you may use it if it is not iodized. Some say the iodine added may be harmful to the fish. Also, you may want to ensure that it contains no additives. Common salt should not be used as marine salt as it lack of the buffers that marine salt has.

How do I know if the salt is iodized or not?

[zyblack]

Most table salt you consume has iodine in it. Iodine helps in preventing goiter in humans. Check the packaging to see if it contains iodine. There are a lot of variety of salt in the market. You can try sea salt if you wish and I think most of them do not contain iodine. But it not be good enough for use in a marine tank.

[fisherw]

Is iodine harmful to fish? If I remember correctly, the richest source of iodine in food for humans come from seafood and particularly seaweed (kelp, nori). If it is not harmful to marine fish, would it be harmful to freshwater fish? I read somewhere iodine is also necessary for freshwater fish as they can develop goiter as well.

Any dietary experts and/or fishkeeping experts can shed some light?