Water Gardening: Salting Pond, 0 by Carolyn22

Carolyn22 wrote:
Somebody asked me on one of these threads if I salt my pond at start up. I cannot for the life of me find that posting.

We typically salt our pond when we shut down in the fall. I was reading online, where this is NOT recommended because it can potentially harm the fish. I did discuss this possibility with DH and his attitude is 'if it is not broken, don't fix it'. So, I am currently buying the 4# boxes of pickling salt and we will be starting to add salt this weekend with the idea of reaching an ultimate salinity of 3%. I do understand DH's attitude because when we started doing this, that was the point where we stopped having health issues at start up.

We do the required water exchanges in the spring and do a thorough vacuuming as well and all the waterlilies are lifted and fertilized at that time. The salinity levels are checked and by the time the waterlilies start to put out new pads, the salinity is at zero.

Salting a pond is controversial and I have heard a lot of pros and cons on it. My attitude is if what you are doing works for you, then continue to do what you are doing....