On Sun, 20 May 2007 11:31:47 CST, Hal wrote:

Some argue the pond should always contain enough salt to prevent brown
blood disease, others argue high nitrates occur mostly at startup of a
new pond and if the filter is working properly there won't be enough
nitrates in the water to cause brown blood disease.

Just to clear up perhaps a little confusion, nitrites cause brown blood
disease. Fish can tolerate high level of nitrAtes, which usually aren't a
problem except in koi only ponds (no plants, minimal algae) or aquariums
with low plant high fish loads. Plants take up nitrAtes, so many of us with
plants in pond or veggie-filters have little too worry about there. What
high levels of nitrAtes affect are growth. ~ jan

There are lots more, but here are a couple opinions.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/scripts/htm...DOCUMENT_VM007
http://www.koiclubsandiego.org/library/salinity.php
Note the San Diego tap water reads 0 to 5 ppt and that is what Norm
Meck called acceptable range.

Salt tests on plants:
http://tinyurl.com/2c8gwm
As a medication:
http://tinyurl.com/jg6hp

BTW if you choose to use salt, the best bargain is solar salt for
water softeners at Lowe's and similar stores. It comes in 40lb bags
and sells for about $4, and is 99% pure salt.

Regards,

Hal
------------
Zone 7a, SE Washington State
Ponds: www.jjspond.us