I agree with Jerri..
In fact the web reference that Brett included talks about using salt as a
treatment (vs. preventative). To date there is no data that salt prevents
infection. The best disease preventatives are maintaining good water
quality, quarantining new arrivals, avoiding overcrowding, and avoiding
overfeeding. If you are successful with just these 4 items, you shouldn't
have any disease issues.
Using salt chronically (year round) only serves to select for resistant
(salt tolerant) pathogens.
Salt is fine for treatment of some parasites (unfortunately salt resistant
parasites are on the rise, compared to what was the case pre-1995).
Salt can be used short term for stress reduction (intro of new fish), or in
combination with large water changes for nitrite toxicity.
Short of that leave it out of the pond. Koi & GF are fresh water, not
brackish, and are adapted to living in low sodium water. In fact most
recommend against using softened water (NaCl containing) for ponds.
Happy ponding,
Greg


"Jerrispond" wrote in message
...
.
IS NON-IODIZED SALT ( table salt) THE ONE THAT IS SAFE TO USE IN THE
POND??

Hi Sacha....Long time no see...I remember you from the watergardening
board....salt is one of those questions like rocks on bottom....some say
yes to
salt some no. I have been ponding close to 15 years and have never
once
added salt to any of my ponds. I don't believe in it. as you probably
remember I don't use a lot of anything that is not natural. I have
hundreds of
water plants and I believe it is harmeful for the plants....salt is very
good
for fish that are sick.....so if you need to salt a fish he should be in
quarentine anyway...catch him and put him in a HEATED quarentine tank
Jerri


http://www.fringeweb.com/Ponds/JerrisPond