| The plumbers connected
a water source to our new pond. We have our own well not city water but the auto
fill will be connected to our house soft water. Is this
soft water a problem for the fish? We would have to drill an additional water
line to connect direct to the well but would if the soft water is harmful to them.
I thought since adding salt is good for fish and soft water has salt in it that
would be alright but I want to make sure. Also if you
know of any members with large show quality Koi that are needing to find a home
for them we would be interested in looking at them for this pond. It will be at
least 35,000 gal. Mike White will be putting a meter
on the hose when well fill it. It is 9 feet or more deep so they will have a great
home.
Hi Amanda, Boy
howdy, am I envious! 35,000 gallons. Your soft water
should be no problem, though it would be a good idea to keep track of your salt
levels with a meter or a good test kit. After discussion
with Allen LaPointe, the head water guy at the Shedd Aquarium, I am not convinced
that salt has any actual benefit as a constant additive in a fresh-water pond
except as an early-spring preventative for nitrite toxicity. It is a reasonably
effective antiparasitic as a concentrated dip, but probably does not do much else.
The concentration in softened water should not be a problem. BTW,
what kind of quarantine setup do you have? Also, be conservative with additions
to your new pond. Remember, you do not have established biofiltration as yet,
and there is not enough time left in the season to get it fully established. Your
pond's ability to sustain large fish at this time is far less than you think it
is.
Bob Passovoy
President
MPKS | 