To salt or not to salt your Pond?
Brett Fogle


The important question of whether or not to add salt to your pond
is often confusing for beginners and forgotten by experienced
pond-keepers. To newbies and pro's alike we have this to say:

"Add Salt Today to Keep the Fish Doctor Away"


True, there are some negative effects of higher salt levels on
plants in the pond, but overall we think it is absolutely the
very best thing you can add to your pond in terms of keeping your
fish happy and healthy. Salt acts as a natural 'stress coat' and
essentially thickens the slime coat on the fish's body - which is
it's own natural defense system against bacteria and parasites.

Salt is also very effective in killing bacteria and parasites in
the pond. When added in proper doses, salting your pond can
dramatically reduce the threat of disease affecting your fish.

It's just like with humans - we are always exposed to the common
cold cells in their body, but can usually resist if their immune
system is strong. Similarly, pond fish and KOI are always exposed
to some degree of parasite and bacteria presence in the pond, but
by keeping their immune system strong and their slime coat thick,
you shouldn't have any problems.

Pond fish actively maintain a natural balance of electrolytes in
their body fluids. Electrolytes such as potassium, sodium,
chloride, calcium and magnesium are removed from the water by
chloride cells located in the gills. These electrolytes are
essential for the uptake of oxygen and release of carbon dioxide
and ammonium across gill membranes.

The lack of electrolytes can cause serious health problems to the
fish. Pond Salt is an all natural salt, providing the essential
electrolytes fish need to survive. Pond Salt is not just a table
salt ( sodium chloride ). It is made from evaporated sea water.
Evaporated sea water contains the necessary electrolytes pond
fish need.


How Pond Salt helps Improve Gill Function to Reduce Stress....

During periods of disease and stress, healthy gill function is
disturbed. This can lead to the loss of electrolytes through the
gills, sometimes called osmotic shock. Osmotic shock interrupts
healthy gill function by reducing the intake of oxygen and the
release of carbon dioxide and ammonium from the fish. Pond Salt
reduces the risk of osmotic shock by supplying natural
electrolytes through the chloride cells in the gills.


Nitrite Toxicity

Overcrowding and overfeeding can lead to elevated nitrite levels
especially in newly set-up ponds. The nitrite ion NO 2 enters the
gills and prevents the blood from carrying oxygen resulting in
nitrite toxicity or "methemoglobinemia". Pond Salt will
temporarily block the toxic effect of nitrite.

All natural Pond Salt is safe and non-toxic to all pond fish when
used as directed. Pond Salt can be used safely with Pond Care
water conditioners, filtration materials and fish foods.


Directions for Use:

1. When used as a general tonic for fish, and as a stress
reducer, add 2 -1/2 cups full (728g) of Pond Salt for each 100
gallons (378 L) of pond water. Sprinkle salt evenly around the
perimeter of the pond. Avoid any contact between salt crystals
and pond plants. If this is not feasible, pre-dissolve salt
first.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Once added to a pond, salt does not evaporate and
is not filtered out. Pond Salt should only be added as directed;
with each water change, or when fish have been treated with
medications.

2. When used to reduce stress in separate treatment tanks or
during fish transportation, use 4 tablespoons full (95.2g) of
Pond Salt for each 10 gallons (37.8L) of water.

For the health of your pond and environment, it is important that
you test pond water regularly. We recommend Aquarium
Pharmaceuticals Dry-Tab Master Test Kit for Ponds to test for pH,
ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate.

For more information about Pond Salt, click here:
http://www.macarthurwatergardens.com/Additives/pondcare_pondsalt.html

Brett Fogle is the owner of MacArthur Water Gardens and several
other pond-related websites including www.MacArthurWatergardens.com
and Pond-Filters-Online.com. He also publishes a free monthly
newsletter called PondStuff! with a reader circulation of over
9,000. To sign up for the free newsletter and receive our FREE
'New Pond Owners Guide' visit MacArthur Water Gardens today!