Why pay $10 - $20 on "pond salt" that is available at local water
gardening stores when you can buy a 40lb bag of "solar salt" crystals at
Home Depot for $5.00 !!! I've been using solar salt in my pond this year
and have achieved the same results that I had when I used the more expensive
"pond salt". Inexpensive and quite pure solar-dried or kiln-dried salt used
in home water softeners is available at most supermarkets and home
improvement centers. Do not use pelletized water softener salt that has
binding agents or any type of iodized salt. For those of you asking, "Why do
I need salt in my pond?" - Common salt, sodium chloride, NaCl, has been
termed "The KOI Wonder Drug". A misnomer perhaps, but salt is a proven
staple in the health care and maintenance of Koi worldwide. Koi maintain an
internal concentration of salt in their body fluids higher than that of
their liquid environment. Osmosis causes water to transfer from the lower
salinity of the pond water into the tissues of the fish. This additional
water build up must be eliminated by the kidneys. Although salt in higher
concentrations may slow some disease causing bacterial growth in the pond,
the predominantly accepted theories ascribe the primary benefits of salt to
lowering the osmotic pressure. This reduces the effort the fish must expend
in eliminating the excess water. The saved energy is then available for use
by the fish's own immune system to take care of other potential problems.
The presence of salt also helps counteract any nitrite toxicity. In some
cold climate areas, it is added in the Winter to lower the freezing point of
the water.

A salinity test kit is available at most water gardening stores. The
procedure in the kit can be used in adding the solar salt instead of pond
salt. I've seen too many people with fish problems not even consider the
lack of salt as a possible problem. Soooo, for you pond lovers, check your
pond's ph and salinity and have healthy fish all year!

PondMan
MD

I have had ponds for over 10 years, and I have never used any salt. the fish
are very healthy, and so are the plants. Jerri

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

I've had ponds for 15 yrs. and have had problems if I didn't use salt. I'm
not sure what part of the country you live in, but here in the Mid-Atlantic
our winters aren't usually that cold. Milder winters increase the risk of
disease in your fish. Correct salt levels control bacteria, fungus, and
parasites that have over-wintered, also if nitrite is present, salt will
reduce the nitrite toxicity. Sooo, if your fish are lethargic and losing
color, it's a good chance you may need salt!
Pondman
MD


"Jerrispond" wrote in message
...
I have had ponds for over 10 years, and I have never used any salt. the
fish
are very healthy, and so are the plants. Jerri


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

I've had ponds for 15 yrs. and have had problems if I didn't use salt. I'mnot
sure what part of the country you live in, but here in the Mid-Atlanticour
winters aren't usually that cold. Milder winters increase the risk ofdisease
in your fish. Correct salt levels control bacteria, fungus, and
parasites that have over-wintered,also if nitrite is present, salt
willreduce the nitrite toxicity. Sooo, if your fish are lethargic and
losingcolor, it's a good chance you may need salt!

I am in the Atlanta area.....My ponds have a very low stocking rate, and lots
of plants. I avoid all chemicals, and most things un natural. My only
filtration is done with veggie filters, and I feed but not too much and use
proper food for the koi and goldfish .I use no uv and the water is clear enough
to see a small stone in 3 1/2 feet of water. the fish range in size from last
years babies to a few koi over 30 inches and all between....All in all real
healthy. Jerri

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

I agree with you Jerri. I live in the Buffalo, NY area for reference.
There are a series of salt postings over on rec.ponds.
In fact, if one does a search, the whole series of salt discussions we had
last year are available, which goes into significant detail on the pros/cons
of routine salt addition to any pond..
I personally use salt only for a limited -time indication, ie salt sensitive
parasites, etc., and only as a temporary measure, getting rid of any
residual through water change outs.
If there is a nitrite problem (which there should not be given a properly
designed pond, operational filter, and fish stocking ratios), the nitrite
needs to be corrected, not "covered" by using salt.
Happy ponding,
Greg

--


"Jerrispond" wrote in message
...
I've had ponds for 15 yrs. and have had problems if I didn't use salt.
I'mnot
sure what part of the country you live in, but here in the
Mid-Atlanticour
winters aren't usually that cold. Milder winters increase the risk
ofdisease
in your fish. Correct salt levels control bacteria, fungus, and
parasites that have over-wintered,also if nitrite is present, salt
willreduce the nitrite toxicity. Sooo, if your fish are lethargic and
losingcolor, it's a good chance you may need salt!

I am in the Atlanta area.....My ponds have a very low stocking rate, and
lots
of plants. I avoid all chemicals, and most things un natural. My only
filtration is done with veggie filters, and I feed but not too much and
use
proper food for the koi and goldfish .I use no uv and the water is clear
enough
to see a small stone in 3 1/2 feet of water. the fish range in size from
last
years babies to a few koi over 30 inches and all between....All in all
real
healthy. Jerri


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

"Jerrispond" wrote in message
...
I have had ponds for over 10 years, and I have never used any salt. the
fish
are very healthy, and so are the plants. Jerri

Ditto...... If they needed salt then you would see goldfish and koi in the
sea!
The only fish that need salt is Marine fish and brackish water fish like
Black Mollys.

--
SEE YER..
IAN P. GARDNER
SOUTH ENGLAND
ISLE OF WIGHT.
www.gardner44.freeserve.co.uk