• Salt that is safe for use with fish should contain as few additives as possible. Pure vacuum dried salt or common cooking salt are both acceptable. Table salt contains too many additives. The use of salt in the quarantine tank is invaluable as it eases the load on the kidney of the fish, this is important when dropsy is the problem under treatment. Salting the pond at 1/2 oz per gallon can be an advantage following health problems. Some buoyancy problems may be improved by the use of salt. N.B. The large quantities of salt used in a short term dip may cause the water to cool by several degrees. If this occurs allow the temperature to warm-up to its original temperature before dipping the Koi. Do not use salt with Formalin, Zeolite, Anaesthetic or Roccal, (it reduces the effectiveness of Roccal). Dosage - 1/2oz per gallon.

• Malachite green is used as a bactericide/fungicide, but it can also be effective against some body parasites. It is usually used in conjunction with formalin for two reasons. Formalin is used to kill parasites by removing the mucous layer on the koi that can harbor them. When ever the mucous is removed the fish are prone to the risks of bacteria and fungal infection as the mucous is part of the immune defense system. Secondly if the koi have been subjected to a parasitic infestation there may well be the need to bathe the bite marks in a bacterial and fungicidal product. Dosage (for a 2% solution) - one treatment of 1ml per 17.6 gallons or 3 treatments, seven days apart for serious infestations

• Formalin is used to treat the pond when certain ectoparasitic conditions are present. Formalin will not combat Gill flukes, Leeches, Fish lice or Anchor worm. It removes the mucous layer that harbors the parasites, and malachite green is traditionally used in conjunction with formalin to protect the fish. Formalin is a very toxic substance and great care is required when using it. If your formalin has turned cloudy it is unsafe to use. Formalin will partially degrade in three days and clears the system in five days. Do not use Formalin with salt. Dosage - one treatment of 15ml per 220gallons or 3 treatments, seven days apart for serious infestations.
  

• Superverm is used to eradicate Gill and Skin flukes. Dosage - one treatment of 11ml per 1000 gallons.

• Potassium permanganate is very effective as a pond bactericide and general disinfectant for nets and other equipment. Low water temperatures make treatments less effective and sometimes dangerous for the fish. Potassium permanganate however can be used at all water temperatures. It will not only lower bacteria it will also help to eradicate protozoan infections such as Trichodina. Although Trichodina may be controlled by other chemicals, potassium permanganate can be more successful in eradicating it. It is recommended that the crystals are completely dissolved in hot water before it is introduced into the pond, so prepare the solution in a non-toxic plastic container and allow to stand for half an hour. Potassium permanganate should not be mixed with other chemicals. It should not be used in strong sunlight, hot weather, heavily planted ponds or ponds that are prone to pH fluctuations or that have high levels of dissolved solids. Dosage - there are many formulations for a dose level but traditionally 1.5 grams per 220 gallons of water is used. After the potassium has been spent and gone brown you can use Hydrogen Peroxide 6% 20 vol dosage 25-30ml per 220 gallons, this will clear your water and re-oxygenate as well returning your pond to the clear and sparkling example that it was before you dosed it with potassium.

• Acriflavine is used as a bactericide. It can also be used topically to treat a wound. It can be used in conjunction with salt as a very effective treatment for many of the minor health problems that occur in the koi pond. It is an ideal product for use in the quarantine tank. Dosage - one treatment of 10ml per 80 gallons.

• Proflavine hemisulphate can be used in a quarantine tank in conjunction with salt to prevent the problems that can occur following handling and transportation. When ever the mucous layer on koi has been disturbed the fish are prone to attack from bacteria and fungus. Proflavine is not suited for use in the pond as it may impair filtration. However unwell koi can be isolated in a solution of proflavine and salt if they are exhibiting the signs of bacterial infection or dropsy. It is a very good all round bactericide. It should be used when the water temperature is over 55°F and works best over 60°F. Dosage - one treatment of 4.5g per 1000 gallons

• Chloramine T is used as a bactericide and to treat bacterial gill disease. It can be effective in the treatment of Costia, White spot and Skin flukes. To be effective for the treatment of fluke infestations several treatments are required at intervals that depend on the water temperature, as the life cycle of these parasites is speeded up as the water temperature rises. Dosage - three daily treatments of 10g per 1000 gallons

• Sterazin P can be effective against Gill flukes and Skin flukes. It is best used at temperatures above 55F. Sterazin P is most effective when used with salt at 1/4 to 1/2 ounce per gallon. Dosage - 62.5ml per 1000 gallons. Treat on days 1,3,6,8 and 10. Sterazin P is one of the safest treatments on the market, especially for the less experienced Koi keeper.

Hints and tips continued.........Maintainence.