Cat Litter as a Substrate?! Substrate 101 - Alternative Active Substrates

[@BigCityBettas]

LOVE using kitty litter in my base mix. Combined with worm castings, crushed lava rock and a sprinkle of active charcoal. I dose liquid micros and macros on a regular schedule so I find it works indefinitely as a base due to its ability to absorb and hold nutrients. Also allows for root growth unlike any other substrate I've tried (and believe you me, I've tried most of em) Always cap with sand though! Messy stuff if you don't cap it properly. Another great video!

[@BentleyPascoe]

I was secretly hoping you'd watch and comment, pinned!

[@BigCityBettas]

@@BentleyPascoe I love your content!! I always watch, just never comment. :) Makes me smile that you knew I'd love this one. You're like my plant hero lol

[@billsherman6129]

My first successful planted aquariums used CLAY kitty litter, capped w/ "play" sand (quite fine grained). I believe it was Dan Quackenbush (on The Krib, for you old-timers) who outlined the technique. I used Osmocote as the fertilizer. Very few places had aquatic plants, and, with my student budget (near-zero funds for hobbies) at the time, I got a nice LFS to trade a few fish, and then fish food, for copious amounts of Amazon Sword and Crypt daughter plants. And those tanks were going for 8-9 years. I only tore them down because I had to move. The root structures were incredible! The tanks looked like unkempt jungles, but all the inhabitants were happy and healthy. The root mat on the older setup was so solid, I could have lifted the entire substrate by the plants, like a thick rug to get it out of the tank.

[@rockfella27]

@@billsherman6129 It was Dr. Kevin Novak who invented the Anoxic filtration system.

[@walkeremilio6008]

I know Im kind of off topic but does anyone know a good website to watch newly released movies online?

[@stevecox8066]

I'm using Kitty litter over undergravel filter as Kevin Novak shows. I didn't charge it in any of my four tanks. Never saw any drops in kh, gh, ph. What i do see is crazy good plant growth and very stable water quality. I did put a one inch cap of aquarium gravel for personal preference but it's all working great. Although i will caveat with patience. It takes a few months before this method really starts to work well. But it's been rock solid in four tanks now and should last indefinitely...not a few years

[@grassfed7852]

I've used kitty litter in several tanks and it worked great. Especially when you put a layer of supplements/dirt underneath

[@MFTAQ]

Glad I saw this, you have given me an idea for my 55G biotope thank you.

[@scalor]

KZbin has loads of videos on using cat litter in denitrification biocenosis baskets. Add some iron rich substrate amongst it and it supposedly removes all nitrates from your water and turns it into nitrogen gas. I'm about to test this myself, but it will take months to show any results.

[@bassqueen7134]

I kinda did that my own way. I have an over populated tank sometimes. I sell fish out of it and display. I almost at a month so far been awesome and my plants stopped dying.

[@rockfella27]

Anoxic system was developed by Dr. Kevin Novak.

[@curvingfyre6810]

How did it go, 3 years later?

[@dcphifer4307]

Perfect timing. I am setting up the substrate now for a 55G.

[@mikehansbrough8909]

I’m a penny pincher. I live in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Volcanic soil variants are locally available. We screen gravel from local creeks and solarize/bake it with great results as a semi-neutral soil. Also, you can buy pumice/volcanic gravel in red or black and screen the size that you prefer. I like 10mm+/ 1/4” minus.

[@frankallen3634]

Hey Bentley is talkin old school with the clay litter, I did it in the 70's with big tanks that I hardscaped only. So much cheaper for big tanks with an expensive topper

[@deborahmcclain8134]

Great work, thx for link on charging Safe-T-Sorb. I'd like to try this in a 125 gal rainbow tank. Color will be great w/ wood & comfy for rainbows; checking how well grain texture works w/ Corydoras.

[@nagasvoice8895]

This is fascinating. I used red baked clay Turface (not yellowish or brown) along with a tiny proportion of expensive aquarium substrate a good 15 years ago in a big pentagon tank. I found Turface particles were a decent size but weighed so little, so light and floaty, that I couldn't effectively siphon near the surface. I didn't charge it in advance, but I didn't notice a problem with chemistry in our rock hard water. The tank constantly had algae issues but this was also before LED lighting. Last year I broke down that setup with intent to reseal the glass panes. I left the Turface out in a garden cart, let it soak up rain and get occasionally drained, and I've re-used that in my two smaller tanks along with smaller amounts of regular pet store gravel. One of these tanks has a constant algae problem, the other doesn't - but I've also been inconsistent with maintenance during the last six months. Now I'm considering swapping in some of the Safe-t-sorb for the algae tank.

[@bobs5596]

i am considering pure turface as a gravel substitute. i believe it is fired hotter than cat litter and doesn't soften up. do you have any opinion other than it might float? i don't see that as a problem once it gets wet. the cat litter gets soft over a year or 2 and seems like it might need replaced? maybe that isn't a problem, and the fines don't bother anything? seem like it could get sucked through a UG plenum/plate? also the turface could change the water chemistry? but would not that be controllable by water changes...

[@nagasvoice8895]

@@bobs5596 You are correct, for me Turface remained an intact particle over quite a long time, over ten years - both in potting soils and as aquarium substrate. The smaller particle type of Turface I got was small and light in weight and easily disturbed by siphoning in my tanks, and it had difficulty holding down plants compared to heavier gravels. It still has the original clay chemistry, so it does soak up nutrients and re-release them much like carbon or charcoal does, which can be an advantage for stability but a disadvantage if trying to remove salts, contaminants or overdoses of nutrients. Lately I've been using it as a component layered under heavier gravels for aquatic plants in small clay pots in my tanks.

[@bobs5596]

@@nagasvoice8895 ok, i just got back from the auto supply with 2 bags of "Fuller's Earth'' (Carquest brand oil absorbent) which is mined montmorillonite clay, and some silica crystals, (quartz sand). it has been calcined(baked). i can't get sea chem fluorite right now, the stores are out and so is the distributor. i suppose i can add it later when available. so this and turface (50/50) will be the substrate at the moment, installed over a plenum (ug filter plate) depth maybe 3 inches, (75 gal tank). how does that strike you? i usually use river gravel(mostly quartz, with some sandstone and some limestone) i screen myself from the creek behind my house, 1/4-3/16 inch diameter, so this will be quite a change for me. goal is better water quality, less maintenance, and possible plants if fish leave them alone. i currently have an 18 inch black ghost knife who has outgrown the 20long he's been in for 4 years (started at 2 inches). i want a convict and a jack dempsey eventually in the tank.

[@nagasvoice8895]

@@bobs5596 I would suggest rinsing both a lot to reduce fine dust, or layer them dry within a a good thick top and bottom cap of your river gravel. Or both- rinse your oil capture and your turface plus include gravel cap directly on plenum and another cap over top of the whole heap. Using a plenum means you're more likely to get dust particles going.

[@caroleinwv]

Thank you for this. I ran across it while I was struggling for issues in my aquariums and getting ready to set up new ones sans the mistakes. I decided to try the Safe T Sorb. It makes the most sense and is readily available for a good price at TSC. I took the bag and dumped it in an approximate 30 G tote and started to rinse. Once I got it reasonably clean I dumped some easy green in the mix and left it sit for 48 hours. I am using COOP test strips to test. My tap water is neutral pH, over 300 GH and medium KH. After 48 hours the water still offers high GH while the KH and pH has dropped past the point of a meaningful reading. Lower than 40 Nitrate. I have found test strips to be inaccurate with nitrate - as you discussed in another video. My take away is that I need to add argonite and/ or limestone to keep my sanity. I have this same problem with my dirted tanks. Another point is that I think one 40 lb bag may be enough in my 125 especially if I have to cap or blend with argonite. I'm going to see how the tank water fairs after 48 hours. It surely has an end point for absorption. I assume it's absorption not adsorption ( charcoal does so).

[@Dan_Slee]

I only would recommend clay based non-clumping cat litter or API Pond media (essentially the same thing). Some good info in here, but also a bit misleading. It will not strip your GH or KH, it will however bind nutrients from the water column, making them available to the roots of plants. Since it does not strip GH/KH from the water, and doesn't maintain PH, calling it active is misleading to be honest. Most hobbyists would consider active substrates those that buffer/maintain/sustain a stable PH (ie. volcani/humus based buffering substrates for below 7 PH, and crushed coral for PH well above 7). Cat litter is clay, and should be treated no different than using any clay in an aquarium.

[@VinylUnboxings]

It seemed like it striped my KH

[@bubblerings]

Dan... Give us a brand. And, some numbers, or you're not helping.. Thx.

[@bubblerings]

(Re: litter not stripping the water column.)

[@deneng0259]

My KH was going up . I mix the water here with RO now to keep the KH at 4 . Plants love it. GH was also going up but i use a plenum everything has balanced.

[@Szu-Ping]

Wow.... amazing jaw dropping information! Thank you for doing the research for us. It’s SO helpful.. Though I just finished rescaping three planted tanks (1 125-gal & 2 75-gal) including changing the substrate to Fluval Stratum. I will forever bookmark this video for next time!

[@raisinggoldfishonabudget7058]

I'm just getting a new start with plant's & been doing a lot of research making a list of all the info I can get from articles to videos I can find. Right now I have a 75 gal aquarium with just black diamond blasting sand for a substrate for the plants I started with when I set the aquarium up, I use the root tabs/capsules & 10 pumps of easy green once a month. I also save my goldfish waste water & in between easy green & the root tabs I hit the plants with the goldfish waste water as a fertilizer I use a turkey baster, & suck up a full tube & put 1/2 UNDER each plant. That has given me a good plant growth & hasn't fouled the water either I don't GUSH the fish waste water, I do it slowly to keep it underground & I don't vac my aquarium nor do I do any water changes & have no issues.

[@TangibleTania]

So very cool...I am learning all sorts of new things on your channel! YOU PUP IS AMAZININGLY ADORABLE!

[@MasterPhotographer]

While I will probably use an active substrate, but I find it very interesting learning about all the various substrate options. Thanks for another great video!

[@WhatIsMisophonia]

This video showed up after watching Dr. Kevin Novak's video on cat litter for use in a long term filter largely utilizing very low flow and low oxygen, what he calls a biocenosis or anoxic (even though it's more hypoxic) filter.

[@celestesaxon271]

Thanks for another super video! My local TSC has 40 lbs Saf T Sorb for $6.49...when I think of all I've spent on substrate over the years it just blows my mind.. can't wait to try it!!

[@BentleyPascoe]

Just make sure you rinse it super well, then take your time charging it.

[@dcphifer4307]

Helllo Bentley. This is my first time here. I was looking for videos on substrates. Thank you for this and related reviews. I used to work on Bonsai and I am familiar with both Akadama and Turface that I added to my personal Bonsai Soil mix after taking classes from two top Bonsai Instructors. Back then, I lived about an hour away from each. It was great. Unfortunately. I was injured and downsized so that I don't have the room thst I had back then. Meanwhile of late, I am back on recovering from getting runover and falling down the stairs from a balance issue,, being 70 didn't help. I got my 1st Betta Kit Tank on 10/27/2022 for my 70th birthday a few days later. I have my 5th additional tank... this up-size 55G tank is sitting on the porch waiting for a nice warm day to run an over night water test. This 55G will be my room-divider... so that I can see it from most of my apartment. I am trying to wean off from using a cane. Being a senior, I need to watch my pennies aquascaping this big tank. I am blessed that I had help from 2 young men from the local Church to unload the tank and the stand, plus a smaller tank for Quarantine. They will be back once I am happy with the water hold test. I am not expecting any troubles... but 55G is a heck of a lot of water compared to my 10G Planted with Some Fish Tank. I am glad that I am on the 1st floor and it will not be over anything. Thanks for info on the other alternatives to laying down substrate. Being that I still have the torn rotator cuffs in both shoulders. This 55G will be plenty big, and give my Betta and friends more room to swim around in and to be able to to grow my Chocolate Kuhli Loaches from 2 to 7 making this a nice size shoal from them. The same for my Brown Bristlenose Plecos and Bronze Cory Cats... and up my 5 Neon Tetra shoal up to 7 or more. I love my Nerite Snails and have been thinking about getting a few more different Nerite Species... I only have 2 Tigers and 2 Zebras concurrently. Who knows, I may consider breeding these lesser known Species. The egg spots... I can live with and they don't bother me. I started a Plant Quarantine Tank and have my new young Chocolate Kuhli Loaches quarantining in it until I get this 55G balanced. The 5 young Brownnose Plecos are in being quarantining, as are the 5 Neon Tetras. I am looking forward to see who has what. By getting the Turface, Akadama, SafeT'Sorb... I will have the starts of creating my old Bonsai soild again. Thanks again.

[@BentleyPascoe]

Sounds like you have a good plan! I am very curious to see your experience coming from bonsai to aquariums! Cheers and I wish you a steady recovery!

[@dcphifer4307]

@@BentleyPascoe, thank you Bentley. Boy. It has been awhile since I made my own Bonsai Soil Mix.. The Ingredients that come to mind immediately are: * Turface * Akadama * Organic Soil * Crushed Granite * Perlite * Peat Moss * Manure * Food Grade DE... Diatomaceous Earth * Pumice/Red and/or Black Crushed Lava Rock. There may be more. I can still see me lugging those 4 huge huge bags of Peat Moss, Manure, Turface, and Akadama into the garage.

[@Miss.kittty]

In Australia, we can only get bentonite clay litter under the name of attapulgite. Would this do the same thing? I was going to mix it with organic compost that I have already washed. Thank you.

[@ThePhoenixLWL]

I'm loving the substrate videos. thanks for sharing the knowledge

[@marciesocal7553]

I now have 4 small aquarium that have cat litter capping potting soil, they grow plants beautifully

[@AquaMalik]

Bentley, thank you so much for making this! I'm definitely gonna use this info and possibly safe T sorb to bring down my gh a bit and kh and also absorb excess nitrates to help with breeding Hypancistrus etc. thank you again! cheers mate!

[@vampgaia]

I use cat litter mixed with worm castings and topped with sand. *** pets the puppy ***

[@charlesmorris6476]

Safe T Sorb sounds like a very good option just wondering what particular fertilizer would be a good marinade for Safe T Sorb And still be safe for the fish. I think using this in combination with a sub gravel low flow Plenum theoretically could be a really good combo.

[@BentleyPascoe]

Any all in one should do fine (NilocG Thrive, CoOp Easy Green, etc etc)

[@willstruck2975]

Could I use a small bag of kitty litter to soften the water in a licorice gourami tank because I have super hard water

[@BentleyPascoe]

You'd likely be better off with adding tanins or small amounts of peat.

[@twilightgardenspresentatio6384]

I love experimentation with materials in this hobby. We wouldn’t learn if we didn’t try.

[@TheChubbyGuppy]

Love my safetsorb! I love how easy it is to plant in and it doesn’t compact. I put it over soil. Keeps wonder chemistry very well! Made from same clay most shrimpers use! I also wonder Bentley if that’s why I’ve been able to use osmocote without the normal pitfalls?

[@asier2001]

Turface with a bit of flourite seachem to give a bit of color to the clay... so far, it seems it works quite well, but the first steps were hard to manage, specially hardness parametres...

[@malcolmcrotty]

How do I know when Safe T Sorb is fully charged?

[@kelleyforeman]

I used the Turface years ago and loathed it! It’s so light I had no hope of planting foreground plants. It’s also filthy! I never charged it, but Iowa water is hard beyond comprehension, so I never noticed my water column being stripped. I would never use it again! I will so that I never noticed any breakdown in four years of use. It does come in a very dark grey (almost black). The appearance is attractive.

[@ringwood]

Great video thank you Do you have a video showing how to charge the Safe t sorb ?

[@BentleyPascoe]

Not yet, I am going to be making one!

[@ringwood]

Thank you. I will be looking forward to it. ​@@BentleyPascoe

[@Sue.5776]

Did not watch the livestream but am I'm interested in trying Safe T Sorb, looks good. Thanks!

[@jaxntax5509]

I may play around with some Safe-T-Sorb, looks good to me.

[@TMAquatics]

Safe t sorb works great.

[@edwardsdeacon]

🤔 Using a plenum ( either a slow or lightly active by using a low output pump ) under the substrate will prolong the life of the soil and the plants. High grade landscape cloth/ weed barrier over the plenum and under the substrate will prevent the soil/ substrate from entering the plenum but slowly allow water to enter the plenum thus allowing oxygen to go through the soil which is highly beneficial for the plants. It’s best to charge the cat litter/ floor dry etc with liquid iron which the the thing most beneficial for plants.

[@twinlamps]

This sounded so insane at first! Learned a lot as always thanks Bentley!

[@guildmaster808]

ive found that expanded clay pellets tend to work better and be less dusty than cat litter.

[@jonmorgan293]

Another great video, thanks Bentley!!!!!

[@-8_8-]

Because I can charge it specifically with the things I know are missing from my water supply. At least I assume I can spike it harder with more potassium and calcium and magnesium.

[@eyadjamus7126]

I use kitty litter and Seachem Flourite Red in my BCB's and Plenums aka Dr Novak. I cap it with crushed coral sand to buffer my pH.

[@emmanuel144k]

What kitty litter did you use?

[@mant3614]

Good work! Super nice video.

[@calebcologna8681]

I wonder if you could use a dry start type method to charge saftsorb and plant straight into it while there’s still an abundance of nutrients?

[@BassManStrikes]

Just a FYI Oil-Dri premium is the same as SafeTSorb..exactly the same.

[@BentleyPascoe]

Cool!

[@patriciahobson8223]

Thanks for the advice. I am a 68 yr old disabled professional artist and have been in a wheelchair for the past 12 yrs. Six yrs ago the president of the Aquarium Enthusiasts of the Triad, NC was kind enough to came to my house and set up my new 75 gal aquarium for me since I was unable to do it myself. She is a Nuclear Physicist at the Wake Forest Bowman Grey Medical School and had all of her aquariums setup with cat litter substrate. She sited all the scientific reasons for using the cat litter most of which I didn't understand. LOL. So she proceeded to set my 75 gal tank up with the cat litter. Since that time, everything, fish and plants, has gone very well and I have not had any problems. My question concerns the cat litter. Would you suggest that I add anything to the cat litter or possibly the water for the benefit of the fish, plants and snails? Sorry for the lengthy information. I tend to do that! Thanks for any information you can help with.

[@BentleyPascoe]

In general it should last a long time with just fertilizer. Root tabs or liquid.

[@billcoleman782]

Very good info as always.

[@newmexicoaquatics282]

Great video. Thank you for sharing you experiences. Scape on! - Little Bobby

[@carlheller6648]

Sorry for late Post been busy with kids and Foster Care. I have been using safet absorbent and loving it but you have raised like crazy more than black diamond sand. How I charged mine is I broke some osmocote plus and let sit for 4 weeks than added to my new top fin 36 bowfront for the wife

[@BentleyPascoe]

A great and easy way to charge

[@Funsun39]

I'm in love with the loach. Can I keep one in a 55..OMG I must have one!

[@BentleyPascoe]

Yep! They'll be fine in a 55, I just wouldn't do more than 3

[@georgemccool2024]

I am getting ready using DR novek

[@BlakesAquatics]

Nicely done mate learned a lot

[@lrwright8400]

I had good success with oil dry. At the time it was the only thing I could find that was clay-only.

[@vanburn777]

Very helpful Bentley. Thank you for sharing. I really want to start a channel for keeping fish in the UAE based on water and locally sourced rock types. You are inspiring! Great job!

[@BentleyPascoe]

I look forward to hearing your experiences out in UAE!

[@madturtle8826]

I just found your channel and I’m so glad that I did. I was planning on doing a 50/50 mix of safe T sorb/organic potting mix capped with some black diamond blasting sand in my 29g tank I’m planning. Would I still want to charge it? Also, if I used a half inch layer of that, would a 1 inch cap be good? Liked and subscribed!! I also watched your videos on lighting. Great stuff man.

[@BentleyPascoe]

I would charge it some as it will strip the water otherwise

[@neutronshiva2498]

Does Europe have any alternative to safety sorb?

[@BentleyPascoe]

So really all it is is a calcinized clay aka montmorillonite clay. So if you can find a similar product that's designed to be absorbent there's another company out there called oil dri or anything similar that's designed using a montmorillonite clay to absorb spills you should be okay.

[@atkinsnatureaquariums3552]

I like the idea of using safe T sorb, gonna do some research on charging. I think this will be a good cheap alternative to use in my 55

[@FishKepr]

Oh dear. We were starting a new tank and accidentally got some buckets mixed up. As a result a small amount of Tidy Cat ‘Performance’ clumping litter got mixed in with the gravel substrate. Do we need to empty the tank and start over?

[@BentleyPascoe]

Clumping cat litter yes. The non clumping clay based is ok in an aquarium. Clumping is bad.

[@FishKepr]

@@BentleyPascoe Thank you. We shall drain it this weekend. At least we didn’t put any fish or plants into it yet.

[@Borkeen2024]

hope i can find safe t zorb in philippines

[@spyrit35]

I live this series Bentley... well done as usual.

[@spyrit35]

And another one for the algorithm ( yeah twas that good) :)

[@spyrit35]

But seriously... no substrate lasagna? :)

[@BentleyPascoe]

Wait for it....

[@ahmedmagdy007]

Can I use zeolite in the substrate because cat litter is somehow not cheap here? and a sprinkle of active charcoal also to eliminate the tannins and increase the substrate cap cec as well. I'm not thinking of using huge amounts, but capping the dirt with 10% of zeolite and the rest is inert gravel. What do you think about it 😊

[@ahmedmagdy007]

I am not planning to charge it because initially, the dirt will provide ammonia, and I can benefit from zeolite to store it and release the nutrients to the roots later on

[@BentleyPascoe]

I would not consider it a long term solution and it's critical to use aquarium safe zeolite. Don't guess, some is, some is not. Safe not sorry.

[@ahmedmagdy007]

@BentleyPascoe I will stick with your advise 😊 I was searching this thoroughly and found a paper that shares the negative impact on plants of having zeolite with sodium as cheif exchange ion... because it strips away all K and Calssium from water and soil, leaving the plants deficient of those minerals

[@karenkeller7012]

Hi , Bentley How long do you think it will take to charge safeT sorb and how much do you think I will need for a 125gal tank and whet would be the best fertilizer to charge it with. Thank you for your time.

[@BentleyPascoe]

How much you need depends on how deep the substrate you want. I would honestly look at 3-4 bags. Charging takes a couple weeks to fully get it done, there's a great video here about it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIK0pqmwathni7s

[@Ishiisan]

Can I use osmocote to charge cat litter?

[@BentleyPascoe]

Use the version with no ammonia

[@racerofrc]

Hello sir.... Love your educational information videos. I am going to set up a 4 foot 75 gallon system. Thinking about using Safe-T-sorb. If I want to pre-charge the substrate will mixing Osmacoat into the cleaned substrate and letting it circulate for several weeks before adding plants work? Just a thought and I would love to have your insight on it.

[@BentleyPascoe]

It can, but it's likely easier to user liquid fertilizer.

[@racerofrc]

@@BentleyPascoe thank you sir...

[@ThePhoenixLWL]

I was wandering if I could achieve something really close to RO water by using uncharged Safe T Sorb, in a HOB filter, on a container that holds my water change water for my crystal shrimp? I have very hard water, and I have crystal shrimp. They like softer water and I am wanting to breed them. I am currently using rainwater for their water changes. I was thinking about doing this with the Safe T Sorb, and using salty shrimp, (for bee shrimp), to reminerialize the water. I can't afford a RO unit ATM.

[@BentleyPascoe]

It might be worth trying for certain.

[@ThePhoenixLWL]

@@BentleyPascoe thank you

[@scapeghost4212]

How long does it take to charge these substrates?

[@BentleyPascoe]

It depends how much substrate you're trying to charge at once and what you're charging it with. In general. I would say let it soak for like 2 weeks and you should be good.

[@indiolifer2136]

Starting my 1st community planted tank and wanted to try the Safe t Sorb you discussed. You talked about the importance of charging this substrate but I can't find any information on how to correctly accomplish this. Can you point me in the right direction? The tank is a 75 gallon and I have already purchased two 40lb bags.

[@BentleyPascoe]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIK0pqmwathni7s

[@indiolifer2136]

@@BentleyPascoe Thank you was very helpful

[@superaquatics]

Can Diatomite clay cat litter be used? There are only two types of cat litter available locally diatomite and bentonite. The bentonite clumps together and they are either scented or with antibacterial agents added which defeats our purpose of actually growing the bacteria. The Diatomite version is non clumping, unscented and 100% pure without additives. However I'm not sure if it works or not. Kindly advise if you have any knowledge or experience on using Diatomite clay as a substrate for anoxic filtration. Thanks. Below is the description on the packaging Diatomite Non-Clumping Odourless (Unscented) Cat Litter, 100% natural and environmentally friendly diatomite (diatomaceous earth) cat litter. Diatomite is a natural sedimentary mineral with absorbs, locks and completely seals liquids and odours. It’s made from crushed remains of marine life called diatoms. Absorbs 1.5 times its weight in moisture 50% more absorbent than traditional bentonite clay litter. Hygienic and healthy due to its mineral structure Made of high-quality diatomite

[@BentleyPascoe]

I would ask Dr. Novak on the anoxic side. Diatomite is not suggested as a substrate, but it is sometimes used in certain specific polishing filters similar to pool filter sand.

[@superaquatics]

@@BentleyPascoe Thanks.

[@omzdubz]

Hey Bentley. I have 2 questions if you dont mind. 1. Would you rather use safe t sorb or eco complete from your lasagna method in the master substrate mix? And 2. The website you provided mentions using baking soda to charge the safe t sorb while you mention using liquid fertilizer to charge it, what is the better option? Im going all in on your master mix i hope it pays off!

[@BentleyPascoe]

I would use eco complete. If I'm using safe t sorb I would use it solo.

[@omzdubz]

@@BentleyPascoe ok thanks

[@-8_8-]

Yep, that's me you're talking about in the opening. I see an hour, listen for maybe 10 minutes, 15 if it's real interesting. After that I got to pay attention elsewhere and the likelihood of going back to a real long video for information... Not happening. To me at least, keeping fish is not the Joe Rogan Experience. I haven't been there in a while, but I used to bounce back to hear the end of a discussion. That's easier on channels with nothing to teach.

[@veneshpillay2988]

Great insight, will the kitty litter drop / buffer ph?

[@BentleyPascoe]

Not to my knowledge

[@herpdiversity9152]

Could very small amounts of cat litter help soften water I have tons of tanins but still super hard water and my pygmy sunfish don't seem to do well in my super hard water

[@BentleyPascoe]

Your best bet is to use a proper active substrate that buffers or run you water through a carbon block filter

[@herpdiversity9152]

@@BentleyPascoe ok thank you

[@bioteach]

Can you use Safe-T-sorb or Kittie Litter as root tabs to recharge soil?

[@BentleyPascoe]

I suppose it's an interesting theory, but it won't release nutrients quite the same

[@pieatin]

Do these type of substrates remove medication from the water column?

[@BentleyPascoe]

I can't give a certain answer as I don't know, but now I'm curious. My guess is no as the way the exchange of ions happens should not affect medicine like it does the minerals and various fertilizer compounds

[@kentsfish9761]

Thanks

[@stennorlin8848]

whoops! Used catlitter and JBL aqua basis plus(a longterm nutrients mix) in my BCB,works fine but have soft water so for my platys and mollies dont want do strip out minerals ... any tips?

[@BentleyPascoe]

Crushed coral, get hardness in to water.

[@stennorlin8848]

thanks!

[@kerrypitt9789]

I won't use kitty litter period! Too many unknown ingredients. Even if it says it is pure clay. If I could trust that I would possibly use it as a dirted tank. I have little confidence in listed ingredients on pet quality "Stuff!" I've seen too many "Surprises in a bag!" From various suppliers. Cleaning it has got to be annoying, doesn't that stuff clump as it gets wet? Or at best dissolve into a powder as it soaks up water? I will stick to more commercial substraight or sand and gravel at Home Depot. Thank you sir, great instructional video!!

[@bubblerings]

Hello, Bentley.. You have over 500 thumbs up, here.. Can you tell us more about Charging Oil Dri or cat litter? Would sure hate for it to leach out ferts and kill my tank. No fancier test kits on hand. Just ammonia and nitrate strips. Any advice to not Overcharge? Thx..

[@bubblerings]

(Am only starting with some plant baskets in a 55 gallon.. Over a UGF plenum on half the tank. Gotta start somewhere.) 😁🤔

[@bubblerings]

The rest is all smaller lava gravels . Sorry. No edit option from my tablet. Hence all separate comments.

[@bubblerings]

Low tech reply to my own question.. Your ferts live stream was helpful.. WATCH the Algae growth after adding a litter basket. Will go light on the first charge.. Then, lightly rinse it. If my algae growth Slows or stays the same.. It's not overcharged.

[@BentleyPascoe]

At one point I'll probably be doing charging video when I actually set up a tank. At the moment I'm basically act my capacity and my home until I can do some things. In regards to charging because of the way that the ionic bonds occur to pull in the nutrients that we're using to charge, they shouldn't leach out. It's not like it's physically holding it like a cup or something. It's chemical reaction. Typically the thing that we use to do the initial charging is just magnesium and calcium because of those are two most important nutrients for root growth.

[@bubblerings]

@@BentleyPascoe ok. Thx. Always looking forward to your new vids! Hope you are busy in a good way! 👍🐳 (ps. Charged a plant basket of Oil-Dri with 1/2 tsp of miracle gro, just for fun... Soaked 90 minutes... since I lost track of the time.. Rinsed twice.. Added fresh water to the bucket.. Still extremely high ammonia the next day.. So, am glad I didn't put it in my tank. Lol. 💦)

[@VinylUnboxings]

I thought the crystaline structure and negative charge of the kitty litter could continue to attract the positively charged ammonium ions way longer than that. Is it just like absorbing minerals that starts to cap out, or does that apply to the ammonia too? I had always thought people would run their Biocenosis clarification baskets for wayyyy longer than that without issue

[@BentleyPascoe]

Ammonium yes, other nutrients can get harder to absorb, depends on the litter. The really nice clay stuff that's close to akadama substrate in texture does much better than your cheapo stuff.

[@williamm8702]

Hi Bentley, big fan for awhile now and to the point, I purchased safe t sorb yesterday 9/12 for a new 29 gal. and will be laying root tabs every 6 inches along with fertilizer to charge the sts. Will it work? Hope to read your comments. Thanks

[@BentleyPascoe]

It should, but you might need even more, safe f sorb can soak up a LOT of fertilizer.

[@williamm8702]

Hi again thanks for your answer and I'll just soak the crp out of the sts and check the nitrate levels until steady if that's the way I understood your explanation.

[@corynelson6392]

@@BentleyPascoe I have a question for you do you have a 📹 out on how you charge it.

[@corynelson6392]

@@BentleyPascoe also what kind of fertilizer for the safe t sorb

[@chatterbox3327]

What is the loach looking fish?

[@BentleyPascoe]

That is Danger Noodle, my dojo loach

[@chatterbox3327]

Thats cool didnt know you can get white/yellow dojos mine are brown, love the tank

[@neilwhitehead166]

I can't wait until you do that in depth review on Safe T Sorb - really educational TY

[@AquaNoxLTD]

I'm using a plenem there's catlitter n tetra attave substrate over it its changed my water parameters alot after a month without a water change ph from 7.8 7.8,kh 40_120,gh80_360 n no3 5ppm

[@AquaNoxLTD]

IV bought fluval Stratham to level out the ph take it down closer to 7 and it'll take kg n gh down also but a high kh n gh isn't bad it's improved water but I want ph near 7

[@maryjanegerbolingo4561]

If i use Pure aquarium sand as Cat litter for my Persian cat is it Okay??

[@BentleyPascoe]

Likely not.

[@bryanprather783]

I didn't listen to the live stream. Perhaps you covered this inquiry there. What thickness of these substrates would you recommend? Do you reccomend placing them directly on the bottom of the aquarium or using a plenum? It would be fantastic if you and Dr. Kevin Novak could have an interview session. Thank You for your content.

[@BentleyPascoe]

I prefer 3-5" of substrate depending on intent. Heavy rooting plants (crypts, swords, etc) more substrate

[@gk9417]

14 height inch tank 5 inch substrate 9 inches left for fish 🤷✌️🙏🇨🇦

[@karenfishroom6599]

so i used kitty litter in five out of twenty two tanks, is there a way to recharge it after two months? , great video series very helpful

[@BentleyPascoe]

Root tabs is the easiest approach

[@Mikinct]

Have to use the right type that rinses clean without a grey cloudy water column mess. Once the right type is used it's friggin Purrrrfection.

[@BentleyPascoe]

I see what you did there 😉

[@rockfella27]

Oil-Dri is nothing but baked clay granules that don't dissolve in water.

[@yonkamacho9842]

what do you think about All Purpose Gravel from home depot?

[@BentleyPascoe]

It's gravel. It's inert, reasonable to plant in, but won't provide nutrients or absorb things from the water column. It also needs to be very thoroughly washed. Personally I would only use it as decoration.

[@yonkamacho9842]

@@BentleyPascoe thanks for the quick reply! I'm thinking of doing a fine layer of earthworm castings then a mix of all purpose gravel, peat moss and earthworm castings, and then cap generously with course sand that I already have. What do you think?

[@BentleyPascoe]

@@yonkamacho9842 should be fine

[@marc8919]

Do you think you will do a tutorial when you do this with SafeTsorb?

[@BentleyPascoe]

Yes I will!

[@bashlivingstonstampededojo882]

I've tried it once I certainly don't prefer it great for plants but not so great for fish I feel there's better Alternatives out there you can just use regular pea gravel and fertilizing Dose plants or just let your tank fertilize your plants however it is a cheap alternative to buying gravel at a pet store

[@lesliearellano958]

I found some kitty litter at dollar tree made of diatomaceous dirt!

[@BentleyPascoe]

Awesome!

[@-8_8-]

Did you mean RO water? Or DI? Because my RO water still has carbonates in it. And it seems like the right kH for a lot of fish and shrimp. Now, I do add calcium, potassium, magnesium, and iron. But these are things my tap water is low in.

[@BentleyPascoe]

If you're adding minerals it's safe

[@-8_8-]

I'm adding sulfates. Not carbonates. This is my concern. My carbonates before ro are blue on the litmus. And I mean 🔵. Off the charts per my sciencey peeps. After ro I'm low KH, but have some. 0 gh out of the tap. I'm wondering if my water company adds natron, nacholite, or arm and hammer to raise the carbonates and ph to support chloramine.

[@wendellkeresztyen7687]

What do you think about using safe t zorb as a cap with a bottom layer of fluval stratum? Am planning my next planted tank (36Wx24Dx20T)and thinking of doing stratum in mesh bags as the base layer and safe t zorb as the cap. Thoughts?

[@BentleyPascoe]

I would still charge the safe-t-sorb some, but otherwise it should do just fine

[@wendellkeresztyen7687]

@@BentleyPascoe would it be safe to charge with osmocote? Tank is going to stay fishless for a bit after water gets filled

[@BentleyPascoe]

@@wendellkeresztyen7687 I think so, just test to monitor how it's absorbing

[@CoffeeTimeBrian11]

Charge it?

[@BentleyPascoe]

A term referring to using fertilizer and letting the substrate of choice (cat litter, safe t sorb, etc) absorb the chemicals

[@andymauthe5202]

I personally do not believe in "charging" my cat litter. I have never done this and both my root feeding and column feeding plants thrive without added ferts for years. The only issue I have with it is that it will rise to the top over time. Especially with catfish or bottom feeder fish that pull plants and stir up the bottom

[@byz513]

Great! 👍

[@baldeagle8500]

give us a way, a solution for plants substrate that last long for at least 15 years without dirted tanks problems

[@BentleyPascoe]

I have a tank with aqua soil that's been going for about a decade. Can be done.

[@baldeagle8500]

yes sir 😄@@BentleyPascoe

[@franciscoferreira-eh1yu]

cat litter new or used ? :D

[@-8_8-]

I sure hope this isn't click bait... Edit Yay!!!!!

[@johncochell3998]

Turface does not break down its baked clay., I have had it in several tanks for 10 years.

[@BentleyPascoe]

Interesting! A friend had it in several tanks and experienced a breakdown of the product.

[@grahamwood5635]

Has anyone else used "molar clay" ? I've used a brand called Akadema (no longer available) successfully.

[@BentleyPascoe]

I have not

[@grahamwood5635]

@@BentleyPascoe spelled it wrong akadama it’s clay based and used in bonsai culture. I’ve got a tank full of cryptocoryne that love it. It would be good to see what you think of it.

[@grahamwood5635]

F

[@grahamwood5635]

I see it is still available here in uk not sure if you can get it in the states

[@kumarashokgak]

@Bentley Pascoe Nutrition out of your fish ...very funny pleaseeeeee .... It is much better to use inert substrate and top up using root tabs & liquid ferts, than using a powerful active substrate and keep water changing daily for weeks to take those nutrition out of in order to BALANCE. Whatever the active substrate won't last ever , after couple of years you need to still use the root tabs.. Liquid ferts yes obviously from the beginning.

[@BentleyPascoe]

I've never had to do such frequent water changes in active substrate tanks. The CEC of an active substrate can maintain for years, much longer than most aquarists keep their tanks set up in one orientation.

[@kumarashokgak]

@@BentleyPascoe thanks for your response