Salt

The cheapest first consideration for treating a sick fish is to use Salt. Salt can be found at hardware stores for around $6.00 for a 40 lb. bag. It eliminates 7 of the 9 parasites very quickly. And it will not harm your filtering system. Bring the Salt content to 0.3% over a 3 day period by adding one lb. of salt for every 100 gallons each day. In the case of really ill fish, this can be done every 12 hours until the 0.3% range is reached. To recap; 3 lbs. added to 100 gallons = 0.3% salt. Salt at 0.3% according to many sources will kill the following Ich. (Ichthyophthirus) White spots. North American Trichodina Costia Chilodinella Epistylis Scyphidia Glossatella

PROTECTIVE COATING
Salt stimulates the mucus slim coat over the outside of the Koi and benefits them in providing a protective coating from parasites.

TYPE OF SALT TO USE

Non iodized, kosher, ice cream and sea salt are ok. Solar rock salt from a common hardware store is great. Be sure to read labels looking for 95.5% pure salt. Verify that the label does NOT list YPS or Yellow Prussiate of soda.

MAX LEVELS
Some have raised salt levels to 0.45% or even as high as 0.6%. The 0.6% should only be considered after doing more research and when attempting to kill Japanese Trichodina.

ADDING THE SALT

Since the quickest way to dissolve salt is to locate it in the path of moving water, consider adding it in a stream bed or waterfall. Adding to the pre-filter or skimmer will work, yet may kill off some of the beneficial bacteria in the bio-filter since this will be a very strong dose. For smaller ponds, add the rock salt to a sock and lay it on the waterfall. Usage of a towel to form a sack or consider folding a couple of layers of some netting to form a sack and then lay this sack containing your salt in the path of moving water.

PLANTS
Also remember that salt levels do harm some plants. Most plants can handle 0.1%. At 0.3%, hardy water lilies, Irises or common papyrus are ok. Water Hyacinths, Lettuce and celery will yellow.

IF YOU ARE TREATING ILL KOI

A Koi fish immune system is not active unless the water is 55 degrees or higher. When quarantining an ill fish in another tank, it is recommended to use some of the water that they were in and began to warm it slowly over days. A sudden change of temp., chemicals, or being chased when catching can be enough stress to send this fish over the edge. Koi Fish naturally have a 1.0% salt level. By adding salt, the buoyancy of a Koi reaches closer to a neutral level and the Koi can swim with less effort. This less amount of stress to an ill fish also benefits them from less water pressure on infected or open wounds. Once you begin increasing the salt level, you may see more activity from your Koi.

HOW LONG DOES SALT REMAIN?

Salt stays in the pond until you remove water. Salt does NOT evaporate! You should NOT keep 0.3% salt level in your pond year round. This practice will only develop tougher trains of parasites. When this happens, you may not be able to help your fish with salt.

SALTING TO THE SEASONS

Some increase salt levels in the fall and then lower the percentage during the winter water changes. Then increase again going into spring, and then reduce during the summer water changes. This does several things. Twice a year you are killing off possible parasites and are increasing the protective slim coats. This may not be for everyone since keeping plants in the pond are affected. Others may resort to use of chemicals for treating the pond seasonally or when ill fish warrant treatment.