I'm having trouble with very high nitrites in one of my tanks (separate post about that on the Tanks board!) and as I've read many times on here that adding a 0.1% salt solution will help reduce the effects of high nitrites on fish, this is what I've done tonight.

But why does it? What is it about salt that affects the nitrites and their toxicity? Very curious to know.

I did some research and here is what I found. When high levels of nitrites enter the gills, the toxicity affects the blood's ability to carry oxygen though the body, thus suffocating the fish. Somehow aquarium salt reduces the toxic effect of the nitrites by allowing the uptake of oxygen. The salt contains electrolytes that are essential for the uptake of oxygen, the release of carbon dioxide and ammonium across the gill membranes. So, it appears that nitrites are toxic for the fish's gills and the salt is a temporary relief until the nitrites can be reduced to a non-toxic level.

Wow, that was really well explained! Thanks LHF.

Hey lionhead,
Beautiful response. If you don't mind me asking where did you dig that info up from?
The thing about nitrites is it seems that some fish are much more prone too react negatively too higher levels while others do not. Nitrite accumulation, even sometimes in the smallest amounts is known as the silent killer. Some warning signs are lifting gill covers. And for anyone out there that has an otherwise healthy fish with the gill covers slightly rolled outward you could probably trace it back too the fish being subjected too high nitrites in the past. This can explain what we all talk about frequently (How goldfish are stunted).
For some reason my pearl can not maintain the growth rates of my other fish and upon closer inspection, You guessed it. His gill plates are rolled up. I would like too add that this fish is extremely healthy now but the outlook for future development into a jumbo is unrealistic.
Just one way too point out that even under the best of conditions it is extremely hard too grow a monster.

Explaining medical or health issues is what I do for a living.
Here is the link to the page I read the info about. You have to scroll down to where it says "pond salt". From what I gather, the pond salt for sale is the same as the aquarium salt(just evaporated sea water). It is manufactured by Aquarium Pharmecuticals.

[url=http://www.watergardencreations.com/AQUARIUMPHARM.HTML]http://www.watergardencreations.com/AQUARIUMPHARM.HTML[/url]
AquariumPharm

Very well Stated! this question will go into the FAQ's Thank you

What would be the dose of the salt to control nitrites? Isnt it 1tsp per gallon?

one teasppon per 5 gals

okay thanks koko