Pond Salt.


Do you have sick or injured fish?  See how POND SALT helps...

Below is a summary of key tips that are outlined in this video.  To watch this video in it's entirety, click on the video - and be sure to leave your comments

The transcript from the YouTube video titled "Salting your Pond can benefit Fish and Pond Health" by Columbia Water Gardens.

This video, by Carl from Columbia Water Gardens, explains how to properly use salt as a primary treatment for sick or stressed pond fish.

Summary of Using Salt for Pond Health

1. Why Use Salt (First Line of Defense)

  • Immediate Treatment: Salt is considered the first line of defense for dealing with fish health problems [00:00:49].
  • Treats Common Parasites: Salt is highly effective against three of the most common and deadly parasites:
    • Epistilis: A ciliated protozoan often confused with ich or fungus; salt is used to treat it [00:06:42].
    • Chilodonella: A highly dangerous parasite that is easily cleared with salt treatment over 14 days, requiring supplemental aeration [00:08:44].
    • Costia (Ichthyobodo): A highly contagious parasite often seen in springtime when fish immunity is compromised; it dies quickly with salt treatment [00:11:13].
  • Determine Pond Volume: Measuring the salt level over time can also be used to accurately calculate the total water volume (gallons) of your pond [00:01:11].

2. Selecting the Right Salt

  • Recommended Salt: Use Morton's Water Softener Crystals (all-natural). These are large chunks of pure sodium chloride that dissolve well [00:01:53].
  • Avoid:
    • Yellow Bag Salts: Avoid those labeled "clean and protect," as they often contain unwanted ingredients like chlorine [00:01:30].
    • Swimming Pool Salt: Avoid this because it often contains a "stain fighter" ingredient that is not fully detailed or trusted for pond use [00:02:21].

3. Dosage and Application

  • Ideal Medicinal Dosage: The goal is to reach a salinity level of 2.5 pounds per 100 gallons of water(or 25 pounds per 1,000 gallons) [00:04:13].
  • Application: Broadcast the salt by hand around the perimeter of the pond to ensure an even application [00:03:30].
  • Monitoring: Use a digital salt meter(salinometer) in a couple of days to check the current salt level and determine the remaining dosage needed [00:03:45].
  • Salt Longevity: Once salt is in the pond, it remains there until it is removed through water changes [00:04:53].

Video Details: