add salt

[Steve Nguyen]

Hello:

I am thinking of adding salt to my pond. any advices? this is my first time attempting to salt my pond so I am a little nervous. don't want to kill all my fish. can I use the same salt that I use for my water softener?

regards,

Steve

[koiczar]

Steve

First and foremost, you can use the same salt as your water softener ONLY if it is "rock salt" and not pellets and ONLY if it does not contain "yellow prussiate". There are a couple of good brands on the market, one is called "solar salt" and the other is from Leslie. Both should be available at your local grocery store or Home Depot.

Now, what would your reason be to adding salt?

[MikeM]

There is no reason to add salt as a general practice. Search this forum for threads about salt and you'll find lots of good info.

[Steve Nguyen]

Koiczar and Mike, thanks for the info.

I am just rathering the info in advance just in case I need to add salt. if I see another fish shows sign of illness, then chances are there is some kind of parasites in my pond.

I found a thread post by Ray on adding salt. it's very useful.

Steve

[koiczar]

Quote: Originally Posted by Steve Nguyen Koiczar and Mike, thanks for the info. I am just rathering the info in advance just in case I need to add salt. if I see another fish shows sign of illness, then chances are there is some kind of parasites in my pond. I found a thread post by Ray on adding salt. it's very useful. Steve

Steve

Adding salt to rid fish of parasites is no longer of much use. The Japanese breeders use it so much the parasites have become almost completely immune to safe dosages below .6%.

Mike

[schildkoi]

Don't salt unless "needed".

Definition of "needed"? .1% at spring start up (more than enough to handle nitrite spike and prevent BBD. Also, salt in Hospital tank for helpo in healing. Finally, to help if an osmotic imbalance in a Koi (elevate by .3%). To add salt just as a "routine" or to combat parasites is, well, for lack of a better term, "silly".

No doubt that "solar salt" without additives in the blue bulk bags is the best for the money.

I was curious though about Koiczar's comment about "pellets". Why not pellets Mike? As long as there are not additives, its been my experience they work just fine...a little slower to disolve than the rock, and alot slower than the Solar. But, in a pinch, it works just fine.....as long as "no additives".

Steve

[koiczar]

Quote: Originally Posted by schildkoi Don't salt unless "needed". No doubt that "solar salt" without additives in the blue bulk bags is the best for the money. I was curious though about Koiczar's comment about "pellets". Why not pellets Mike? As long as there are not additives, its been my experience they work just fine...a little slower to disolve than the rock, and alot slower than the Solar. But, in a pinch, it works just fine.....as long as "no additives". Steve

Steve

For the reasons given above that you state about the slower dissolve time and the fact that we've always been told out here on the West Coast NOT to use pellets cuz most contain "yellow prussiate". You say you've used them. Interesting!? Personally, I would think the slower dissolve time would be a "time" issue. Most folks want to get it into their systems and get it to the right dosing level without having to wait around for ever or constantly check to see that it has dissolved. Maybe this is another one of those wives tales - LOL~~

Mike

[schildkoi]

And I definite;ly agree on Solar salt being a better alternative. But when faced with need and no solar salt can be found, The Mortons w/o additives works just fine albeit slower in disolving. I guess I rake some things for granted. I know my pond gallonage and thus know how much salt (in wieght) it takes to raise it by .1%. get's me in the ball park anyway.

Steve

[Seefdro Tvneik]

Perhaps, I am wrong in assuming that the intake of salt would help maintain a healthy immune system and increase electrolytes. If so, please tell me why not? I add larger amounts of salt in the spring and maintain a lower percentage throughout the summer. Mainly for the benefit of the koi.

[MikeM]

Seefdro: It simply is not needed. Carp evolved in freshwater. They do not need the help. Better to focus on eliminating nitrogenous wastes that lower the immune response.