Salt--- Prevenative Medication
Posted on: Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Okay before we begin let me make two preliminary points. 1. Yes I realize that koi and goldfish are freshwater fish. And: 2. This is not a step in a recipe for cooking your fish. That being said, salt is one of the best and most economical “medications” you can treat the pond with.
To Medicate or not to Medicate…
When you look at all the fish medications that are for sale it can be a bit overwhelming. Most people want to provide the healthiest environment possible for their fish so the inevitable question that comes up is, “Which of these medications should I be using regularly to keep my fish from ever getting sick?” The answer is NONE OF THEM. Most fish medications are designed to treat specific problems such as parasites, bacterial infections or fungal infections. If used improperly, some of these medications can be detrimental to not only the fish (by creating drug resistant infections) but also to the entire ecosystem of the pond. Many medications can lower the oxygen level of the pond (especially on hot summer days). Other medications can lower the level of beneficial bacteria in the pond. These bacteria are needed to break down fish waste and contribute to the overall health of the fish. It is imperative to make wise decisions regarding appropriate use of medications. The moral of the story is; unless know what you are treating for, it is better not to treat.
Salt…Does a Fish Body Good.
Salt is one of the few products that can and should be used as a preventative. Salt plays several roles in the ecosystem of the pond. First, salt can kill several simple parasites that are commonly found in the water. Second, salt promotes the formation of the slime layer on a fish. This slime layer is the first line defense of the fish's immune system. Finally, salt can help heal some minor wounds through a process called hyperosmolarity. Hyperosmolarity involves the transfer of fluids through cells based on varying densities (specific gravity) of water. Are we getting too complicated? Here is a summary; salt kills some parasites, makes fish slimy (this is a good thing) and healthy.
Salty Facts, Or The Important Things to Know About Salting a Pond.
Use a non iodized salt. Ice cream salt, rock salt, kosher salt, animal feed mix salt or salt specifically labeled for pond or aquarium use will work. Salt should be applied at a rate of 1 lb per 100 gallons of pond water. I know that this sounds like a lot but this level is very safe for pond plants and fish, it works out to be just a 1% concentration of salt. Dissolve the salt in a bucket with some pond water and pour the solution in several areas of the pond to disperse it evenly. Try not to pour this concentrated solution directly onto any plants in the pond. If you are using more than 5 pounds then mix it up in batches of 5 pounds at a time (to avoid a too heavily concentrated solution). The salt concentration will stay at this level until you remove water from your pond. Salt does not evaporate, so topping the pond off because of normal evaporation does not lower the salt concentration level. A simple inexpensive salt test kit is a good investment if you do frequent water changes, or have a slow leak in your pond.
Finally, salt does not disturb the ecosystem of the pond. At 1 lb per 100 gallons, the salt will not affect the beneficial bacteria levels, beneficial algae or aquatic plants in the pond. If you add more than 1lb per 100 gallons, however, some aquatic plants will start to suffer, and too much salt can be fatal to fish. In addition, salt is cheap. A 50 lb bag of salt, which is enough to treat a 5000 gallon pond, is only $14.99. Compare that to an antibiotic which cost $19.99 and treats 1400 gallons. It just goes to show that a "ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"
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