Salt Is Bad News For Aquatic Water Plants And Garden Fish Ponds
Salt Is Good For Killing Parasites ... Do Not Add To Fish Ponds However!
The addition of pond salt to a fish pond seems like an odd habit to me; in fact a bad habit, as far as I am concerned. I believe that those pond keepers who do this are under the impression that it is a good way of protecting their Koi and goldfish from parasitic infections. Whilst salt is a remedy for many fish parasites it should be carried out in the form of a salt bath, administered to the infected fish, in isolation.
Salt in a backyard fish pond, is if anything just a mild tonic. I’m not even sure if it does any good at all. If it does indeed work then it will only work over a long period of time. How you can manage to maintain a salt concentration when you consider that frequent water changes will sometimes need to take place; in order to combat the build up of ammonia.
I have written several articles regarding the subject of adding water additives and pond treatments to garden fish ponds. I am in principle against the idea and the more I write, the more I am convinced that it is a bad idea.
Be Aware Of Salt Reactions With Other Chemicals
The major danger of adding salt to a fish pond is the way in which the salt reacts with other chemical pond additives. Potassium permanganate, for example is a common treatment for parasitic fish infections. However, when it reacts with salt, potassium permanganate can under certain conditions release chlorine into the pond environment. Trust me you do not want this to happen! Chlorine is poisonous to aquatic pond life and fish.
Salt when used in conjunction with Zeolite can also release ammonia back into the pond water. Zeolite is sold as a pond buffer to remove ammonia from the pond water. Unfortunately when it reacts with salt it causes the ammonia to be released back into pond water.
Please be aware that under certain circumstances it will be necessary to add chemical treatments to your garden pond, but you will need to be aware of your pond volume along with the consequences of adding these chemicals to the pond water. Certain chemicals have a nasty habit of destroying nitrifying beneficial bacteria. Without these bacteria your pond will quickly become overloaded with ammonia. It is important to be aware of your actions. If you are in any doubt whatsoever, seek an alternative or seek advice.
Another reason not to add salt to your garden pond is because it will interfere with plant life.
The following is a well accepted general consensus within the pond keeping fraternity … a correctly specified garden pond filter that has been installed properly will take care of 90% of all pond issues.
The benefits of salt as a fish parasite killer
As stated earlier in this article, salt has its advantages in fighting off parasite infestations. You should however treat the infected Koi, goldfish etc in isolation in a high concentration bath. A bowl or tub is perfect for the job.
In fact I would go as far as to say that you should use salt to treat parasites in pond fish before you use any other treatment method. Salt in moderation is harmless to Koi, goldfish and other pond fish as well as being harmless to nitrifying bacteria. Salt is also easy to get hold of and very cheap; much cheaper than medicated pond fish treatments.
Salt Will Treat The Following Fish Parasites ...
Ichthyophthirius, also known as White Spot
Costiasis (Ichthyobodo necatrix).
Most Trichodiniid/Tripartiella organisms
Glossatella.
Scyphidia.
Epistylis.
Trichophrya.
External Tetrahymena.
Inhibits trematode reproduction, clears 30% of adults.
Inhibits Lerneiid (anchor worm) reproduction.
The reference for this list of parasites is Dr Johnson of koivet.com
