A Few Question About Cat Litter

[Fats]

Hi,i am hoping to strip my tank down this weekend sometime which ive started a journal about here My Post

I am planning on using P@H 100% clay cat litter non clumping covered with play sand. Just a couple of things id like some information on before i go ahead.

1. Will the cat litter alter the PH or cause any other water chemistry problems?

2. I know your not supposed to disturb the substrate once its in,so how do you go about stir up the sand now and again to stop the build up of gases? or will MTS and plant roots be enough?

3. Also would it be possible to soak the cat litter in plant fertilizer like Easylife Profito(which i have) prior to putting it in,or would it not make any differance?


Any advice will be greatly appreciated

Thanks
Ian

 

[Paradise3]

Firstly cat litter would make the water cloudy and whether it says non-clumping or not it will soak up the water and clump. It will possibly kill your fish!

 

[raptorrex]

Firstly cat litter would make the water cloudy and whether it says non-clumping or not it will soak up the water and clump. It will possibly kill your fish!

whilst you comments, seem to make sense. in truth, they don't.

cat litter/fullers earth is, and has been, used widely in the hobby. and its very successful too.
none of the problems you mention, actually happen.

Hi,i am hoping to strip my tank down this weekend sometime which ive started a journal about here My Post

I am planning on using P@H 100% clay cat litter non clumping covered with play sand. Just a couple of things id like some information on before i go ahead.

1. Will the cat litter alter the PH or cause any other water chemistry problems?

2. I know your not supposed to disturb the substrate once its in,so how do you go about stir up the sand now and again to stop the build up of gases? or will MTS and plant roots be enough?

3. Also would it be possible to soak the cat litter in plant fertilizer like Easylife Profito(which i have) prior to putting it in,or would it not make any differance?


Any advice will be greatly appreciated

Thanks
Ian

last question first. no. no need for fertiliser. that, may come, eventually. but walk before you run, has always been a good maxim.

gas build up again, is far less of a problem than most think. so much so as to be irrelevant. so, you can stir, if you wish.

you will need to track any change in water parameters. but, as this system is widely used. and changes are, handleable.

do a forum search for "cat litter" or fullers earth. for the question of sand and gas look here

 

[Fats]

Thanks Raptorex,not sure if i know what you mean by no need to add fertilizer it may come eventually?

Thanks
Ian

 

[Truck]

I think raptorex means that there is no need to soak the cat litter in ferts, that will happen over time anyway, providing you add them to the water column.

 

[Fats]

I think raptorex means that there is no need to soak the cat litter in ferts, that will happen over time anyway, providing you add them to the water column.

Thanks for clearing that up does it matter if its clumping or non clumping?

Thanks
Ian

 

[Truck]

Doesn't matter.

 

[Fats]

Doesn't matter.

Thanks, looks like im off to p@h in the morning then. Hopefully i will get time to do it all tomorrow

Thanks again for all your help and advice.

Ian

 

[raptorrex]

I think raptorex means that there is no need to soak the cat litter in ferts, that will happen over time anyway, providing you add them to the water column.

thanks truck, bit of a clumsy comment from me . i just meant, messin with high concentration ferts is, for the more experienced.