33 replies to this topic

[dori]

Has anyone tried using kitty litter as aquarium substrate, if so what type have you used and does it work?

[werdna]

Ummm, why would you?

[slink]

Hmmm always something new on this forum

[Bowdy]

Hehehehehehe well this gave me a giggle

[Westie]

Is this for serious? Not having a go, just wondering if its serious or someone's playing silly buggers.

[Kleinz]

Ah. I don't think Dori is on crack .The clay kitty litter will contain bentonite clay, which absorbs ammonia ions much in the way that zeolite does. Geoliquid  contains bentonite clay.

 

I'd say kitty litter might just be a cheap way of getting hold of some and given the properties of the material, it could have a few applications for fish keepers.

 

That's just off the top of my head...

[TheTexasCichlidMasacre]

did google search people seem to be using it in planted tanks  heres a bit of info off one of them... "laterite clay, which is high in iron - an important nutrient for plants. Compared to regular gravel, it also has a higher CEC, or "cation exchange capacity", which is the ability of the substrate to capture and hold nutrients for the roots to use.

 

but only certain brands have this... and some brands have perfumes and all that and are unsuitable so gonna need to do your research first..

Edited by TheTexasCichlidMasacre, 28 June 2013 - 11:48 PM.

[Kleinz]

Laterite and bentonite are rather different things. They don't use laterite in kitty litter

[dori]

In america the folks use a product called "all natural kitty litter" i think it cost $5 for 20lbs (not 100% sure). 

 

"The Special Kitty Natural Cat Litter offers effectively controls odor, the natural way. Made completely from natural ground clay, this low dust cat litter doesnt use fragrances or scents for controlling odor.... etc" basically no added chemicals, however this is the american version, haven't been able to find a similar one yet in perth/australia. 

 

I was thinking of doing 2/5 organic potting mix, 2/5 kitty litter and 1/5 play sand for my substrate but i'm still unsure about this kitty litter thing.

[Kleinz]

So this is a planted tank taking advantage of the clay minerals?

[dori]

Yeah pretty much dude

I'm always looking for alternative setups where i can save alot of money

[Kleinz]

Don't know which kitty litter is likely to have it unadulterated, but you could certainly get bentonite clay unadulterated as a stockfeed additive (sodium)  or  as a garden additive (calcium )

Not sure which you are chasing. Where's Syd when you need him?

 

I think it'd be cheaper this way that kitty litter. Keep us posted. If you do this I want to see how it works out.

[sandgroper]

Can't see why it wouldn't work on a catfish set up.

[Westie]

Ha ha gold! Catfish...

If you want to do a planted tank substrate on the che, look at 2toned's DIY planted substrate mix on AquariumLife forum.
Or laterite as bottom layer, natural gravel on top, with dinosaur dung tablets in the substrate.

[malawiman85]

Well, anyone given kitty litter a crack yet?

[Frontosaman]

I'm going to set up a 600x30x40 planted this week to test this idea, will keep posted


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[malawiman85]

Cool, I set up a 60l plastic tub today.
30% kitty litter, 70% potting mix about 50mm deep with 10mm of gravel on top.
I then chucked some seasol in and filled the tub with water.
Then went down to a chain store that shall not be named and bought half a dozen plants.
Ive chucked a light on the tub.
At some stage during the week im going to buy some platies or some such to see how they go.

Edited by malawiman85, 23 March 2014 - 07:18 PM.

[Redevilz]

Keep us posted MalawiMan!!

[malawiman85]

Hey, well its Wednesday and it seems the plants have settled in and look to be growing. I chucked some neons and clown loaches in the tub to see how they go with the clay and the little bit of seasol I used. Im pretty confident the seasol is fine with fish. Ive even used a little with the mtw's and they are breeding like... well just like mtw's.
Water is crystal clear... only early but seems to be going fine.

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[dazzabozza]

I wanna see a pic of your cat trying to drop a turd into the tank