Saltwater?

[baron1282]

Ok, so I have a Saltwater tank. Normally when I clean my tank my bird is in the cage.

My wife had him out and he flew over to my saltwater buckets and started drinking. Not that I am worried about it as it's been an hour now, but it can't be good for a Conure right?

I think the point of this story is that it was really funny to see his reaction when he tasted the Saltwater. Funny thing is he kept drinking it until I got over to the buckets to pick him up.

 

[MikeyTN]

Fresh mix or the dirty water???

 

[baron1282]

Fresh Mix!

 

[MikeyTN]

What brand of salt mix are you using?....you basically have to watch for all the additives they put in them. Fresh mix have the higher concentration of them since its fresh but its better then the dirty one with all the bacteria and such within. Give him plenty of water to drink he should be fine.

 

[baron1282]

He didn't drink a lot. I use the good stuff, the "Instant Ocean" Salt. Nothing but the best for my fishes.

He is fine, fast asleep right now. I always like looking into the happy hut to see him just sleeping there. Ever Since I switched him over to the pellet diet, his feathers have gotten a lot better. He is healthy as any bird could be, Salt or no Saltwater. LOL

 

[faeryphoebe1]

Saltwater and pellet diet, eh? Just kidding! I've reduced the amount of seed that I'm offering my conures so that they will hopefully eat more pellets. My GCC is not too happy though and in protest has begun throwing her veggies and fruit out of her bowl, lol. What difference do you see in your conure's feathers so far?

 

[MikeyTN]

Instant Ocean is ok...if you keep corals you would need additives! I used to have to add stuffs to it when I used it....

 

[MikeyTN]

I had to think for second but I used to have to add Alkaline and Calcium Chloride to balance it out as it is higher in PH level. With Oceanic you have to buffer the PH. I don't remember the other ones as it's been awhile....

 

[baron1282]

I would use the Reef Crystals from "Instant Ocean" if I had corals. All I have is Fish and Rock. It's a FOWLR (Fish Only With Live Rock) tank.

As far as what I saw with my guys feathers. They were starting to brown on the tips of the feathers. So far the newer feathers don't have the browning on the tips. Plus the avian light I got is helping as well.

 

[ruffledfeathers]

I was actually 'scared' of this over the summer when Gil would fly toward the ocean. I had no idea how salt water could effect him so i would yank him back quickly.