Salt in the Pond
Arbordale
recommends that your
pond will benefit from a salt application ...
1) harmless to almost all fish
2) even if it does not cure it does not kill sick fish
3) most parasites especially Ich are killed quickly
4) has little if any impact upon most pond systems and their bio filters and is
unaffected by weather
5) safe to humans and animals
6) low cost
in addition.....
Inhibits the uptake of nitrites therefore limiting the damage
Inhibits the uptake of ammonia so gill damage is minimized
Stimulates mucus cells on the scales. fish under attack by parasites or have ulcers do better with aheavy slime coat produced by adding salt.
Salt kills these species ....
Ichthyophthirius
Chilodinella
Costiasis (Ichthyobodo necatrix)
Most Trichodiniid/Tripartiella organisms.
Glossatella
Scyphidia
Epistylis
Trichophrya
External Tetrahymena Ulcers
Inhibits trematode reproduction, clears 30% of adults.
Inhibits Lerneiid reproduction
this reference source is our colleague
Dr Erik Johnson
Salt Dosage: between 0.1 and 0.3 percent depending on severity. Take advice
from specialist advisor if unsure. The salt must be
non-iodized food grade with no anti-caking agents and
should be added in 3 lots spaced out at intervals of about 12 hours.
The American Koi Club says:
Pond salt is well known to be one of the most beneficial stress reducers for koi. Remember when we discussed how a stressed koi loses some of it's ability to osmoregulate properly across the gills? Rock salt at 0.3% to 0.6% can prevent the loss of internal body salts during stress. The koi is closer to what is called an isotonic solution. The koi does not have to expend as much energy recovering these lost salts on top of his already weakened condition. This helps us achieve our main objective. Also, for some reason, koi seem to be able to handle cold water better and I always keep these levels of salt in my ponds during the winter and spring. Furthermore salt at these levels retards or kills many ectoparasites. There is also reason to believe that these levels of salt help koi overcome bacterial infections. How many of you have gone for a swim in the ocean with cuts on your fingers, and found the cuts to be exceptionally cleaner after the swim? Don't we also gargle with salt water when we have a sore throat?
Salt is definitely a good thing, however, you need to apply a little
knowledge before using it.
Dosage:
Remove excess algae or aquatic plants before using this dose. Salt will kill these and cause pollution and oxygen depletion. Never use salt during a planktonic algae bloom.
Maintain these levels of salt for the duration of the koi's dis-ease by using a pond salt tester or a digital meter for best results. Regular water changes will gradually reduce salt levels over a month or two. There is no need to maintain these salt levels permanently in my opinion.
Alternatively, if you only have one or two koi Which seem to need treatment you may give them a salt bath in a separate tub with 5 gals of pond water and 1 pound of rock salt. This produces a 2% solution. Bathe the koi for only 5 to 10 minutes. Use a plastic bag to transfer the koi to and from the bath so as not to damage skin and mucous.