Do any of you have any experience with the Japanese clay? An aquaintance was telling me that it helps keep the algae down and the water clear. I am using a galvanized stock tank for my pond . Would work in my stock tank? Any information is greatly appreciated. Charles
Japanese Clay
I've used montmorillonite clay for about 5 years. The claim is that it replaces lost minerals in pond water and is supposed to be particularly good for koi. I don't know of any effect on algae but the clay particles also act as a flocculant. They "grab" minute floating particulates that cloud water and sink them to the bottom. Japanese koi breeders use clay lined lagoons or ponds. They claim that koi are healthier when grown in clay lined ponds. Koi are great at rummaging through and nibbling on any earthen material. I can't say that there is an observable positive health effect on the fish because koi health depends on many factors. I've got fat, rowdy, 6 yr old fish with good color so I can definitely say it dont hurt! There is no reason why you shouldn't use it for gold fish in a stock tank.
As someone who has no clue, how do you purchase and apply this clay? Is it like a sprinkling of clay once a month like fertilizer (lol) or more like water clarifier where you need to mix it into a bucket of pond water and then add it like that, or something else entirely? Just curious, I'm kind of wooed by snapples fat, rowdy fish!
It comes powdered. You can add it dry or premix it with pond water. It doesn't take much per dose. I'm currently out but I think I was using two tablespoons weekly for a 2400 gal pond. The link below is not an endorsement for that particular brand or web site - just a reference. There are several companies that sell it. Koi ponding nuts will add nearly anything if they think it will help their fish and I'm no exception. Like I said, I can't say that the koi wouldn't be as healthy if I didn't use it but......................... they are in real good shape with it and It does clear the water. If it's good enough for Japanese breeders it's good enough for me. Rowdy is right. Makes growing any kind of a pond plant a real challenge as they knock over pots and shred and drag water lilies all over the place.
Koi clay has no effect on pond algae growth. It neither promotes nor inhibits.
http://www.microbeliftstore.com/home/ml1/page_44_41/calcium_montmorillonite_clay.html
As has been previously mentioned on other threads, many of us plant our lilies and other pond plants in "Special Kitty" kitty litter from Walmart, in the red bag. That is the ONLY brand to use. It is pure clay. The fish do root it around though, even with river rocks on top, but it lasts several months. Much less expensive and works great!
Kitty litter is excellent for potted water plants. Problem is that koi will totally destroy it along with the plant if they can get at it. The powdered form will disburse freely through the water giving the koi the minerals they claim they need. And as it disburses it also clears cloudy water. I don't know how true it is, but the source of the powdered koi clay is supposed to be superior due to its mineral content. Could be just hype.
http://www.koiclay.com/
Koi clay is the bomb. It is in all my mud ponds to hold water. But if your using it in a pond it links to the algae in your pond and the koi love to eat it! {it's also really good for them} really ;-)
I purchased the clay a couple of weeks ago. I have been adding in 2 scoops a week as per the instructions. I can see no difference in the water. The water is still green. I have added cabomba plants to help clear the water as well. I stopped feeding the fish in October. I am I being too impatient?
It usually only takes 3-7 days...
Rich
If you trot across to koiphen.com and search 'gene koi clay' or 'gene bentonite' you will be in for quite a mineralogical feast.
Regards, andy
http://s93.photobucket.com/albums/l42/adavisus/