String algae

[shakaho]

I did a little reading on kitty litter and koi clay. Most of what's out there is forum chat, but I found a couple of articles worth reading.

This article explains the different types of clay and what they do for the water and the fish.

This one is a sales pitch but presents some interesting information.

Both pure clay kitty litter and Koi clay are Montmorillonite = bentonite clay. Such clay is found and mined in many places. Koi clay provides two different benefits. It provides a rich supply of mineral nutrients for your koi or goldies. This contributes to general health and particularly improves scales and color. (Some people eat clay for minerals as well.) It seems quite likely to me that the pricey koi clay has a better selection of mineral nutrients than Special Kitty, since clay from different locations will have different minor minerals, and some are just going to be better.

The other value is water purification. Clay particles can bind all sorts of impurities in the water. When you put in clay, the water gets cloudy from the suspended clay particles. When these settle out the water clarifies -- often dramatically. I would guess that Special Kitty performs this function as well as does Koi clay.

Lots of people say that clay has cleared up algae. I haven't seen any controlled studies, but it's probably true. Nobody seems to know why. The best suggestion I've seen is that the clay binds to the algae and that damages it in some way.

 

[addy1]

nice job! So choose which one you want to use for what reason and all will be fine. Nice research you did.

 

[marla]

I had to laugh when I was at my sisters a few weeks ago...went into the bathroom and there was a jar of Montmorillonite/bentonite clay. I asked her about it and I guess my niece uses it as a facial scrub...I told her I use it in the pond and she laughed and told me never never tell my niece.

 

[addy1]

The niece would just die!................. laughing..............and I bet she paid a pretty penny for it.

 

[mrteach3]

I know a lot of people do not like "chemicals", but Pond Balance has been the ticket for me to get rid of string algae. That stuff works like a charm.

 

[bsr8129]

Now my water is starting to clear up not as cloudy. Not sure on the string algae there is less but I have also been pulling it out every day. It is still nice green when i pull it out

 

[sissy]

never heard of pond balance who makes it

 

[stroppy]

I know a lot of people do not like "chemicals", but Pond Balance has been the ticket for me to get rid of string algae. That stuff works like a charm.

i have just started using it too ... and it is working for me ..i have been testing out the kitty litter for a few weeks and it hasn't helped a bit just kept growing ...pond balance is very popular here in the uk the one i use now is blanket answer by cloverleaf
http://www.cascadebitz.com/Cloverleaf-Blanket-Answer-Koi-sc-855.html

 

[bsr8129]

Day 2ish. Petco kitty liter no help on the string algae. Going to go buy Walmart brand tonight and see if it does any better

 

[j.w]

What does it say the ingredients are in that Petco kitty litter?

 

[bsr8129]

It's 100% clay here is the web site for it. I guess since it's clumping that's why it's not working.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11147492

 

[marla]

I used Pond Balance one year...yes it does work, but I believe it has quite a bit of salt in it. I realized that one day when I was mixing it and had a cut on my had and boy that stung....anyway I realized then why non of my floaters and my lilies were not doing well. I have not used it since, but for those who don't use floaters it does work.

 

[sissy]

doesn't it have a label that says contents .Strange that on that sight it says it is safe for plants and fish and is all natural .

 

[stroppy]

my plants are all ok with the blanket answer i have floating and some in planters but maybe its too soon to tell

 

[mrteach3]

Thanks stroppy and marla. I use it more during the beginning of the season to rid the algae from the winter months, and then monthly after that. I will not make the mistake of not using during the winter months this year. I may not have to do it monthly, but I will certainly use it to keep away growth during the winter, which I have a lot of in my pond.

I have never had any problems with my plants after using it. They grow just fine no matter what.

Interpet makes pond balance. I get my product through www.gardenponds,com They seem to have good pricing, and I have always received good customer service from them.