Bentonite / montmorillonite clay and its benefits

sewingalot · 01-27-2011, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by problemman

sara so basically after reading all this....is this should allow the shrimp to shed easier,breed easier, and the snails will feel stronger? where do i get this?

Overall, I think it is a good product. I would just say follow the directions carefully if you have sensitive plants, maybe under-dose at first. A lot of people with Koi ponds have been using this stuff for years. Here's a great article I found: http://www.classykoiponds.com/html/koi_clay.html

I can tell you it did clear the water up. Probably because of the clay properties themselves acting like a sponge.

problemman · 01-27-2011, 07:13 PM

Thanks sara. Might have to try some

sewingalot · 02-13-2011, 04:59 AM

Brad, you should definitely try some of this!

Once I started adding back the rostram candy (am I spelling this right?), I am seeing some nice improvements in the shrimp. I am adding half the amount as directed just to be cautious and will slowly add more each water change. I must say I am noticing some major improvements to both the shrimps' behavior and the water. I thought my water was clear before, but WOW this is crystal clear. The biggest improvement is the snail shells. They are looking so fine that I have a feeling I am about to see some major snail population. Two thumbs up for the clay based on that alone. I'll try to get a picture soon of the shrimp and snails.

**mordalphus** · 02-13-2011, 05:17 AM

Glad to hear this worked out for you Sara! It's rostrum candy (rostrum is the 'nose' of the shrimp).

Lots of people are skeptical at first when using it, glad to see you stuck with it long enough to see the benefits

sewingalot · 02-13-2011, 05:49 AM

Thanks for the spelling. I got the label wet and it's kinda smeared now.

I almost didn't try it again after the OD (my fault). I am very glad I did. By the way, what is in that food you gave me? Nicotine? The shrimp go nuts for it.

**mordalphus** · 02-13-2011, 05:59 AM

lol, rory asked me if it had crack in it. And I told him I'm never that careless with my crack!

sewingalot · 02-24-2011, 11:29 AM

Here's a picture....forgive the diatoms

prjct92eh2 · 02-28-2011, 04:33 PM

Is this the "mineral rock" stuff all over ebay?

anh · 02-28-2011, 10:19 PM

you can get the same effect by adding a kitty litter (walmart special kitty) in the substrate.

OverStocked · 02-28-2011, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anh

you can get the same effect by adding a kitty litter (walmart special kitty) in the substrate.

LOL. The clay in kitty litter is no where near the same as these clays. THe calcium content is negligible. People wouldn't use kitty litter as a plant substrate if it raised kh and gh. It actually usually LOWERS KH.

**mordalphus** · 02-28-2011, 10:51 PM

although... You _CAN_ potty on it, just like kitty litter!

problemman · 02-28-2011, 11:17 PM

i have kitty liter in my 40 that im taking down and im thinking that i hate it lol to dusty. i used the rest for the cats lol

sewingalot · 03-01-2011, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anh

you can get the same effect by adding a kitty litter (walmart special kitty) in the substrate.

Not in my experience, I use basically the equivalent of kitty liter (Turface) and it doesn't help. I'll get some pictures of my snails in a tank with and without the addition of the bentonite/montomorillonite clay and let you all see a visual tomorrow.

problemman · 03-01-2011, 03:02 AM

So this sounds like it will help my nerites out and my crs?

VaultBoy · 03-01-2011, 03:59 AM

where do you buy bento/monto clays? i have never seen this stuff for sale in any hardware stores over here, i have only ever seen it used in wineries as a wine filter medium. but they were buying it by the tonne and i only want a pinch. are there different grades and do i need a specific type for aquaria use?

02-13-2011, 04:59 AM	#33
sewingalot I ♥ BBA! (View User Tanks) PTrader: (112/100%) Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: WV Posts: 12,769	Brad, you should definitely try some of this! Once I started adding back the rostram candy (am I spelling this right?), I am seeing some nice improvements in the shrimp. I am adding half the amount as directed just to be cautious and will slowly add more each water change. I must say I am noticing some major improvements to both the shrimps' behavior and the water. I thought my water was clear before, but WOW this is crystal clear. The biggest improvement is the snail shells. They are looking so fine that I have a feeling I am about to see some major snail population. Two thumbs up for the clay based on that alone. I'll try to get a picture soon of the shrimp and snails. __________________ Without Algae, death of mankind would be inevitable. 55 gallon journal

02-13-2011, 05:49 AM	#35
sewingalot I ♥ BBA! (View User Tanks) PTrader: (112/100%) Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: WV Posts: 12,769	Thanks for the spelling. I got the label wet and it's kinda smeared now. I almost didn't try it again after the OD (my fault). I am very glad I did. By the way, what is in that food you gave me? Nicotine? The shrimp go nuts for it. __________________ Without Algae, death of mankind would be inevitable. 55 gallon journal

02-24-2011, 11:29 AM	#37
sewingalot I ♥ BBA! (View User Tanks) PTrader: (112/100%) Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: WV Posts: 12,769	Here's a picture....forgive the diatoms __________________ Without Algae, death of mankind would be inevitable. 55 gallon journal

03-01-2011, 03:59 AM	#45
VaultBoy Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 320	where do you buy bento/monto clays? i have never seen this stuff for sale in any hardware stores over here, i have only ever seen it used in wineries as a wine filter medium. but they were buying it by the tonne and i only want a pinch. are there different grades and do i need a specific type for aquaria use? __________________ 50g corner tank with DIY everything 40g Australian Native Paludarium

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02-13-2011, 05:17 AM	#34
mordalphus These pants? are fancy. (View User Tanks) PTrader: (263/100%) Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 7,639	Glad to hear this worked out for you Sara! It's rostrum candy (rostrum is the 'nose' of the shrimp). Lots of people are skeptical at first when using it, glad to see you stuck with it long enough to see the benefits

02-13-2011, 05:59 AM	#36
mordalphus These pants? are fancy. (View User Tanks) PTrader: (263/100%) Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 7,639	lol, rory asked me if it had crack in it. And I told him I'm never that careless with my crack!

02-28-2011, 04:33 PM	#38
prjct92eh2 Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (28/100%) Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Highlands Ranch, CO Posts: 364	Is this the "mineral rock" stuff all over ebay?

02-28-2011, 10:19 PM	#39
anh Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (12/100%) Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: orange county, CA Posts: 384	you can get the same effect by adding a kitty litter (walmart special kitty) in the substrate.

02-28-2011, 10:51 PM	#41
mordalphus These pants? are fancy. (View User Tanks) PTrader: (263/100%) Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 7,639	although... You _CAN_ potty on it, just like kitty litter!