Salt for Koi and Goldfish
Why use salt in ponds?
Salt dehydrates common fish parasites. Parasites become more prominent during winter/spring when the fish's immunity is lower.
Salt adds electrolytes to the water, which is essential for the uptake of oxygen and release of carbon dioxide and ammonium across the gill cell membranes, which reduces fish stress.
Disease Treatment
Many external parasite infestations and fungal infections can be eradicated with a short-term salt bath. Using a clean container, fully dissolve 2-1/2 cups of pond salt in 10 gallons of pond water. Put the infected fish in this salt bath for 5 to 10 minutes. Best to cover container to keep fish from jumping out.
Use 1/2 cup non-iodized salt (.06%) per 100 gallons when water lilies, lotus, hyacinths, and water lettuce are present.
Use 1-1/4 cups non-idiozed salt (.1%) per 100 gallons with all pond plants except for water lilies, lotus, hyacinths, and lettuce.
To monitor salinity levels, salt test kits or salinity meters are available. We test water (no charge).
Salt Chart - Non-iodized
1/2 cup of coarse salt = .32 lbs.
1 cup of coarse salt = .61 lbs.
1-1/4 cup of coarse salt = .76 lbs.
Use 1/2 cup non-iodized salt (.06%) per 100 gallons when water lilies, lotus, hyacinths, and water lettuce are present.
Use 1-1/4 cups non-idiozed salt (.1%) per 100 gallons with all pond plants except for water lilies, lotus, hyacinth, and lettuce.
To monitor salinity levels, salt test kits or salinity meters are available. We test water (no charge).
Calculating Pond Volume
Irregular shaped garden pond:
L' x W' x AD' x 5.9 = gallons in the pond
Square or rectangular garden ponds without plant shelves:
L' x W' x AD' x 7.5 = gallons in the pond
Salt dehydrates common fish parasites. Parasites become more prominent during winter/spring when the fish's immunity is lower.
Salt adds electrolytes to the water, which is essential for the uptake of oxygen and release of carbon dioxide and ammonium across the gill cell membranes, which reduces fish stress.
Disease Treatment
Many external parasite infestations and fungal infections can be eradicated with a short-term salt bath. Using a clean container, fully dissolve 2-1/2 cups of pond salt in 10 gallons of pond water. Put the infected fish in this salt bath for 5 to 10 minutes. Best to cover container to keep fish from jumping out.
Use 1/2 cup non-iodized salt (.06%) per 100 gallons when water lilies, lotus, hyacinths, and water lettuce are present.
Use 1-1/4 cups non-idiozed salt (.1%) per 100 gallons with all pond plants except for water lilies, lotus, hyacinths, and lettuce.
To monitor salinity levels, salt test kits or salinity meters are available. We test water (no charge).
Salt Chart - Non-iodized
| Salt Ratio | 0.05% | 0.1% | 0.2% | 0.3% | lbs. Salt | lbs. Salt | lbs. Salt | lbs. Salt |
| 10 gals. | .042 lbs. | .083 lbs. | .17 lbs. | .25 lbs. |
| 100 gals. | 0.42 lbs. | .83 lbs. | 1.7 lbs. | 2.5 lbs. |
| 500 gals. | 2.1 lbs. | 4.2 lbs. | 8.4 lbs. | 12.5 lbs. |
| 1,000 gals. | 4.2 lbs. | 8.3 lbs. | 16.7 lbs. | 25 lbs. |
| 1,500 gals. | 6.3 lbs. | 12.5 lbs. | 25 lbs. | 37.5 lbs. |
| 2,000 gals. | 8.3 lbs. | 16.7 lbs. | 33.3 lbs. | 50 lbs. |
1/2 cup of coarse salt = .32 lbs.
1 cup of coarse salt = .61 lbs.
1-1/4 cup of coarse salt = .76 lbs.
Use 1/2 cup non-iodized salt (.06%) per 100 gallons when water lilies, lotus, hyacinths, and water lettuce are present.
Use 1-1/4 cups non-idiozed salt (.1%) per 100 gallons with all pond plants except for water lilies, lotus, hyacinth, and lettuce.
To monitor salinity levels, salt test kits or salinity meters are available. We test water (no charge).
Calculating Pond Volume
Irregular shaped garden pond:
L' x W' x AD' x 5.9 = gallons in the pond
Square or rectangular garden ponds without plant shelves:
L' x W' x AD' x 7.5 = gallons in the pond