A simple question really should I use salt just to cure problems that occur or should I use it constantly as a prevention??? and
what affect does it have on the fish????
Whilst we are on the subject what salt is best to use????
and anything else I haven't thought of yet much appreciated.

only use salt permanently in brackis and marine set ups :D

Never treat a tank with salt, remeove the fish and treat it seperately.

What effect does it have in fish?

well to a freshwater fish it creates a lower water potential outside of the fish, so in response, water from the high water potential, i.e. the fish, leaks out into the area of low potential to even it out.

in my terms at 9AM it sucks the water outta mr tetra and leaves him like a rasin, not nice really

hi, i use aqua tonic in my tropical tank set up around 4 tea spoons for my 160lt tank, its not enough to make the water brakish but enough to give the fish a healthy defence. although the one thing to bear in mind is that not all fish like salt added to the tank, i have lost a few cat fish because of this on bad advice from my fish shop.

hope this helps

You want to use aquarium salt, not marine or table salt. Some fish like some salt added to the water. Mainly your livebearers. Catfish do not tolerate to much of it at all but can be used at half the strength. Its not really much use as a preventive med, although it does help ich in a slight manner but not much. The only reason I would use it is if you have molly's as they do prefer a little salt.

the constant or even temporary use of aquarium salt is dependent upon the inhabitants. I personally us a salt in the home tank at about 1/4 teaspoon per 10 galons regularly as a fish desease preventative, however my rainbows, kribensas and other fish are salt tolerant. At that amount it doesnt seam to effect plant growth and i havent lost a fish in almost 3 years. The point is you can run salt in your tank constantley but i would advise caution and if you are not experienced using it then i wouldnt push my luck. Keep in mind that salt does not evaporate from the water so you will not have to add more for water evaporation.

One bad thing about using salt all the time, though, is that if you need to use it as a treatment for something, the fish are going to be less responsive to higher doses. Personally, I don't use it in any of my tanks unless I'm treating... but that's just my personal opinion.

I really think it's just a personal preference...

Depends on what fish you keep, Cichlids need some salt generaly. As far as i know most live bearers and bettas do not need it at all but some have a preferance for some in the water.

Brakish water fish need it for sure.

the only time i use salt is if im treating with another medication to ( apparently ) help boost the recovery, Personally i dont really like adding any chemicals or substances to my tank unless necessary