Cat Litter

[karawr]

I am hearing mixed reviews about cat litter and I know some people on this forum use it.

I am just worried mine won't be safe. I got exquisicat premium clay litter, fragrance free, non clumping. It's 99% dust free and the ingredients say: absorbent white clay.

Now it doesn't say 100% clay so I'm worried it's not the best?

Also it's winter here so I can't wash outside with the hose. Any other tips for washing?

Thanks.

 

[karawr]

Also as a side question regarding moss.

I have java moss in my 20g. Lighting 15w T8 apprx 8 hours a day. I dose seachem flourish and flourish excel. But it is growing up (instead of out) and is very scraggly. How can I fix this?

 

[JenCliBee]

It is really moler clay you want which is a red/brown colour... the white based cat litters are usually sepiolite based and they break down in water quickly and end up like sludge.... both are safe but one is far easier to manage than the other and works in a much better way.


The moss sounds like java, unfortunately this type of moss can be very untidy as it grows in general.... i guess trimming and reattaching to make it spread quicker would be one option.

 

[minnnt]

Java Moss is very messy. Usually just grows in whichever way it wants to... Sometimes across, sometime up, sometimes down. It is very unpredictable tbh, mine just usually grows in a massive clump. Christmas Moss has a similar shape frond, but is more uniform in its growth.

Weeping moss is great too, but usually more expensive.

 

[karawr]

Ok I will get some more xmas moss then (and maybe some weeping moss too). I've already got a little bit and have noticed it looks much better.

I will also return the litter and look for some brown stuff.

Thank you both.


Edit: it's proving difficult to find brown cat litter... also I have to go for a non-clumping kind, right?

 

[minnnt]

Are you in the uk? If so then tesco sell some, I think its £2.79 a bag. Jake knows better as he sent me the link to it.

 

[karawr]

canada

 

[minnnt]

Ahh right... Bummer.

I can see that now i am on the computer rather than my phone. lol.

 

[karawr]

lol that's ok. looks like I'm going to just have to go with the white stuff.

 

[karawr]

Hm this is proving to be difficult.

The first brand I got stayed white when wet, just made the water a little cloudy but it settled after a little bit.

The second brand I tried got completely brown and muddy when wet. Completely unrinseable the water was just pure brown.

I think the first litter is the better choice.. I don't know, I don't know what to expect here.

 

[Tizer]

are you not capping it with sand?

 

[ZoddyZod]

I'll add my two cents.

Firstly, as Tizer said above, it needs to be capped with sand. I would recommend a good 7-10cm of sand on top to prevent it being disturbed and then making a mess on the substrate.

Secondly - if you are plannig on having a plec of any sort.....expect mess. Even with around 10cm capping mine, my bristelnose will occassionally destroy a small area and bring the litter up, especially when feeding.

 

[Tizer]

I would most certainly avoid clay with a large plec!

 

[minnnt]

It doesn't need capping, jake has proved that. I've just bought a bag of the fullers earth stuff.

 

[Tizer]

tiz what i used, it was messy and nasty!