Diatomite or Kitty Litter???

[Loretta]

I have been to Bunnings, Mitre10 and our biggest Landscape companies and I can't get Diatomite or Zeolite. Is volcanic skoria the same sort of stuff as I can get all of that I want. I bought some of that Chandlers kitty litter someone mentioned and I'm prepared to use that but I agree about the colour not looking too good. Maybe I could cover it with the skoria on top to hide it. Please let me know about Diatomite vs Skoria!!!
Cheers Loretta

[DaveL]

I know you can definitely get Zeolite from pool supply stores usually in 20kg bags. It's an alternate medium for sand filters and works much better at filtering water!

[Bretts]

Hi Loretta
Look for richgrow aquatic potting mix at Bunnings. Chandlers works well as a part mix.

Hey Dave I wish all poll supply stores stocked the zeolite. I managed to find some a couple of years ago when I installed a new filter but since then I have not found any store to stock it withing a 150km radius

[Loretta]

Thanks Brett...that's another avenue for me to follow up on. God, that Marco bloke denegrades communication via the web
but look what's happened in a 1/2 hour. One minute I was hitting my head against a brick wall and now I have two avenues open to me that I knew nothing about. Long live the internet!!!
Loretta

[Loretta]

A second thanks to Dave , I sent the first one but it's disappeared, I can't see it anywhere. Maybe I didn't press SUBMIT.
Anyway, I appreciate the help from you both. I'm going to chase it up tomorrow.

Loretta

[Glenda]

Loretta, I am in Mackay and have diatomite (Maidenwell) at $25 per 40L bag. My son will be going back to Townsville on Friday (he is at the Uni) if you would like some.

Glenda

[senseijames]

G'day Loretta, a couple of weeks ago I was talking to someone at the Mt Sylvia Diatomite mine at Gatton and he mentioned that Blackwoods in Townsville has bought it from them in the past so it might be worth checking with them ( J.Blackwood and Son ) to see if they have any, they sell it as Diatomacious Earth for soaking up oil etc, just make sure it is Mt Sylvia 2 - 7 mm Diatomite, because they sell others also that are too fine, good luck.
James
Edit: Just read Glenda's post, probably better to get it from her.

[Jamie]

gday james,

the diatomacous earth is a powder, very fine. i nearly bought it then checked the bag and it was a powder.


jamie

[Josh7]

Try Attapulgite or similar absorbing rocks used for spill kits. It is reasonably priced (depending how much you need in your soil mix) at $15 for 20kg where it get it. You will find it at at most Tool/Work safety places.
Seriously, there are so many products to use for water/nutrient/aeration it's not funny!

[senseijames]

Did you know that Chandler Kitty Litter is Actually 100% Attapulgite.

[techpetal]

Just stick with Zeolite, Diatomite, Akadema or Kanuma as your main bases.

Forget the Kitty Litter... We have all gone through this before.

Tech

[Bretts]

We have so why forget the kitty litter. Remember Diatomite is also a kitty litter.

[Taffy]

Found an interesting bit of info on this website:

http://www.attapulgite.org/

The structure is somewhat between laminated and chain structure. Attapulgite looks like soil, and compact blocks which are found in the sedimentary rocks and the weathering crust. Attapulgite are white, hoar, caesious or celadon, or with some dim mercerization in color. The clay of attapulgite is fine and a bit greasy smooth, light in weight, crispy, and the fractured surface is like shells or in irregular shapes. Attapulgite has strong ability to absorb water. When it is wet, attapulgite shows plastic and adhesive properties; and when it gets dry,attapulgite does not shrink much and does not show cracks. When it is soaked in water,attapulgite collapses. The suspending liquid does not create soliquids and precipitates, when meeting electrolytes.

(My underlining)

So, I have a few questions:
Has anyone used this stuff personally?
Do they find it suitable and
Does it break down - if so, how long do you think it lasts?

[techpetal]

Hi Brett,

Loretta did ask Diatomite OR Kitty Litter.

Not all Kitty Litters are Diatomite. Sorry I'm with Mojo on the previous thread on this one. As previously discussed (not dismissing your tests) a number of the "Kitty Litters" turn to mush and just clog a trees medium.

Diatomite and other recognised suitable mediums should be presented and discussed as what they are. Kitty Litter is for cats to pee on. Somebody who doesn't properly read a forum thread may go away with the wrong ideas and kill a tree or dozen.

Tech

[DaveL]

gday james,

the diatomacous earth is a powder, very fine. i nearly bought it then checked the bag and it was a powder.


jamie

Don't ever breath it in either, similar to asbestos in that it sits in your lungs. Or so i'm led to believe anyways.