To Salt or Not to Salt Your Pond

The important question of whether or not to add saltReduce Stress....During periods of disease and stress,
to your pond is often confusing for beginners andhealthy gill function is disturbed. This can lead to the
forgotten by experienced pond-keepers. To newbiesloss of electrolytes through the gills, sometimes called
and pro's alike we have this to say:"Add Salt Today toosmotic shock. Osmotic shock interrupts healthy gill
Keep the Fish Doctor Away"True, there are somefunction by reducing the intake of oxygen and the
negative effects of higher salt levels on plants in therelease of carbon dioxide and ammonium from the
pond, but overall we think it is absolutely the very bestfish. Pond Salt reduces the risk of osmotic shock by
thing you can add to your pond in terms of keepingsupplying natural electrolytes through the chloride cells
your fish happy and healthy. Salt acts as a naturalin the gills.Nitrite ToxicityOvercrowding and overfeeding
'stress coat' and essentially thickens the slime coat oncan lead to elevated nitrite levels especially in newly
the fish's body - which is it's own natural defenseset-up ponds. The nitrite ion NO 2 enters the gills and
system against bacteria and parasites.Salt is also veryprevents the blood from carrying oxygen resulting in
effective in killing bacteria and parasites in the pond.nitrite toxicity or "methemoglobinemia". Pond Salt will
When added in proper doses, salting your pond cantemporarily block the toxic effect of nitrite.All natural
dramatically reduce the threat of disease affectingPond Salt is safe and non-toxic to all pond fish when
your fish.It's just like with humans - we are alwaysused as directed. Pond Salt can be used safely with
exposed to the common cold cells in their body, butPond Care water conditioners, filtration materials and
can usually resist if their immune system is strong.fish foods.Directions for Use:1. When used as a general
Similarly, pond fish and KOI are always exposed totonic for fish, and as a stress reducer, add 2 -1/2 cups
some degree of parasite and bacteria presence in thefull (728g) of Pond Salt for each 100 gallons (378 L) of
pond, but by keeping their immune system strong andpond water. Sprinkle salt evenly around the perimeter
their slime coat thick, you shouldn't have anyof the pond. Avoid any contact between salt crystals
problems.Pond fish actively maintain a natural balanceand pond plants. If this is not feasible, pre-dissolve salt
of electrolytes in their body fluids. Electrolytes such asfirst.IMPORTANT NOTE: Once added to a pond, salt
potassium, sodium, chloride, calcium and magnesiumdoes not evaporate and is not filtered out. Pond Salt
are removed from the water by chloride cells locatedshould only be added as directed; with each water
in the gills. These electrolytes are essential for thechange, or when fish have been treated with
uptake of oxygen and release of carbon dioxide andmedications.2. When used to reduce stress in separate
ammonium across gill membranes.The lack oftreatment tanks or during fish transportation, use 4
electrolytes can cause serious health problems to thetablespoons full (95.2g) of Pond Salt for each 10
fish. Pond Salt is an all natural salt, providing thegallons (37.8L) of water.For the health of your pond
essential electrolytes fish need to survive. Pond Salt isand environment, it is important that you test pond
not just a table salt ( sodium chloride ). It is made fromwater regularly. We recommend Aquarium
evaporated sea water. Evaporated sea waterPharmaceuticals Dry-Tab Master Test Kit for Ponds
contains the necessary electrolytes pond fishto test for pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate.
need.How Pond Salt helps Improve Gill Function to