there's a reason why it's called kitty litter

[gi4get]

I got something that'll probably make your head spin! I was just told that a cheap alternative to gravel is kitty litter. Not only is it fine to do so, but the store clerk encouraged it! My gut reaction was to die laughing and then screw the guy's head back on. *ack* Was my gut reaction in vain or is it really okay to use kitty litter as an aquarium substrate?

 

[zeo]

i've read somewhere that a mixture of the clay kittylitter stuff and a mixture of pebbles are good for tank plant growth, but not alot of ppl are much fans of using kittylitter.

 

[gi4get]

is an appology to the clerk in order?

 

[zeo]

nah i wouldnt say so, from what i've read there are a hell of alot more, better suited alternatives to gravel that would help plant growth.

and why did he recommend using kitty litter? unless the guy is overstocked or something and just looking for a quick way to get rid of the stuff,
kittylitter isnt usually recommened by alot of ppl as an alternative, and isnt really that good nither.

Just do a seach with google.

 

[cichlid_freak]

There are MAJOR problems with "Kitty litter." Number one, it disolves in water, eventually, it will disentigrate and foul your water. Also, it is very hard to get a "Kitty litter" with no perfumes or scents or other chemical treatments to disguiss oders ( most people don't like the smell of cat poop ).

Then, if none of that was a problem, in other words it was inert, and not water solluable, and didn't foul your water, it STILL doesn't do anything. Think about it, it is designed to absorb stuff and hold moisture. In a dry pot, it would be ok, and that may be where the idea of this whole thing started. But in an environment completly under water, moisture retention isn't that important.

The only possible benefit that ANY substrate can have is mineral/nutrient supply. That is why certain clays are beneficial (Iron supply). Now, Iron turns stuff red and I have yet to see a red "Kitty litter."

So the answer is: Not only is "Kitty litter" useless, it is actually harmful. I would spend the $5 a square foot for add-in "Laterite" and mix with a gravel of my choice.

BTW, I went with something a little more elaberate on my soon-to-be-set-up 55 gallon tank, but not everyone wants to spend $60-100 on substrate. (I found a good deal, and I splurged)

Good luck and Good fishing!

 

[Phreaxer]

most people don't like the smell of cat poop

you made my day with that single line!


I am a recent new cat owner, and wow, you nailed that on the head! Its not my cat, and the deal I made with my wife is no matter what he does, she is responsible... Works great for me. He and I have a bond, and Ill sit on the couch, he will come up and right next to me or on my lap and I will pet him and he and I will be just great, then about an hour later he goes in his box and does his thing... "babe, Berkley just took a big smelly one... " and she comes and takes care of it...

*shhhh* but Im going to suprise her one day soon and empty his box for her... (Brownie points )



And on topic here... A lot of cat litter has "magic clumping action" and I think that could pose a problem...

 

[gi4get]

Cichlid_freak-
my gut reaction was *ack* that stuff's gotta be treated with all sorts of chemicals and gunk....i don't want that in my tank! i worry that misinformed clerks will spread the knowledge to trusting beginners and parents.

Not only is "Kitty litter" useless, it is actually harmful. I would spend the $5 a square foot for add-in "Laterite" and mix with a gravel of my choice.

i guess i haven't done enough research yet....what's Laterite and what's your preference of substrate?

BTW, I went with something a little more elaberate on my soon-to-be-set-up 55 gallon tank, but not everyone wants to spend $60-100 on substrate. (I found a good deal, and I splurged)

ooo...oooo....what'd you get? by the way....you're post was very helpful...mucho thanks.

Zeo-

there are a hell of alot more, better suited alternatives to gravel that would help plant growth.

what would you suggest, gravel and alt., that would help plant growth?

and Phreaxer....i am the caretaker of the cats in this house and i know they appreciate the "clumping action" of the litter....however, i have a feeling my fishies would turn their fins up to it

 

[Pufferpack]

*shhhh* but Im going to suprise her one day soon and empty his box for her... (Brownie points )

...brave man, do it once and you will own the job for life

 

[cichlid_freak]

I have a combination of Ferti-plant the "green" bucket (a soil type of substrate) and Flora-Base to put over it. Each of those are technically about $20-30 each and I got 5 (3 buckets of Ferti-plant and two bags of Flora-Base) Luckily, I have a VERY healthy relationship with my LFS, they gave me all of it for $60! This is a combination that I haven't tried but think it will do great. Now, if my uncle would ever call me back with a price on lighting...


All in all, I wouldn't recommend that substrate to a newbie, mostly because the soil stuff can foul your water big time if you let it into the water column (open water) Like I said a good laterite mix will do well for most any set-up. Laterite is a clay that formed from "decaying" rock and has a large amount of iron enrichment. You can pick up a box at any quality LFS. Just ask for "Laterite." If they don't know what it is try somewhere else, because they wouldn't be a very good place for plants (not saying they wouldn't be great for fish, but would be leary about plant advice given, ie: Kitty litter ) What you will want to do is mix it into the bottom 1/3 of the substrate.

Basically, you want about a 3 inch substrate. Take about 1/3 of the substrate and mix the laterite into this well. Make sure it is spread pretty even, I like to put about one inch into the tank and place little bits about every 1-2 square inches. Then, you just place the rest of your substrate on that. This makes sure that only plants with roots will get the benefit of this, that way algea can't use it and you give the plants an advantage. You may want to use "Jobes fern fertilizer sticks" around very large plants (like large swords and such) or ones that use their roots to get most of their nutrients (like Madagascar lace plant). This should give you a very good start. Then you'll just have to figure out what/if liquid ferts you want, CO2 or no CO2, lights, plants...

Good luck and Good fishing!

 

[Lipreader]

Looks like pufferpack knows what he's talking about! Did you do something that you wish you hadn't and now can't get out of?

Phreaxer - I named my cat Stanky because when I found her and brought her in for keep, she took a dump and it STANK! So somehow the name stuck on her(my family really regret it but there's no going back). It's pretty embarrassing to take her to the vet when she needed some emergency attention and I had to tell them what her name was. Also if anyone sees my cat, they say "how beautiful your cat is, she has blue eyes. What's her name" "Er.....Stanky".

Oh well, I love her dearly.....