Cat Litter as Growing Media?

hawaiinewbie

Has anyone tried to use the clay cat litter as a growing media? This is the basic litter without any perfumes or additives. I was at the local farm supply/pond store and the owner told me that the hydroponics people use it as a growing media. Its cheaper than anything else I have seen. Make sense.

aquamad

so how does it mask odors? if it is just clay all should be fine I guess...

RupertofOZ

Clumping cat litters are uasually made from bentonite clays....

Bentonite is commonly used in pond based aquaculture to line and seal ponds/dams..

Non clumping cat litter is often made from zeolite, or diatomite (Diatomaceous earth)...

Zeolite is used due to it's ammonia absorption propertires... and is used in aquaculture for similar reasons..

Diatomite is used in both horticulture and hydroponics as a medium... and a few APers have used forms of it... particularly a form here in Australia known as "Maidenwell"

imy

Hmm... this is exactly what I was going to ask today... but wasn't sure if I should.

The 'home brand' cat litter I'm using for the cat right now seems to be very limey. It is white and looks exactly like the stuff you might use in the oil tray of the BBQ. It doesn't anything written on the pack to say what its made of. Would it be suitable?

The reason I ask is because I am very remote and its tricky to get anything shipped here without huge prices... the local garden centre only stocks local gravel and its mostly granite based.

novaris

Cat litter seems to be designed to be absorbent and I would have thought it might break down fairly quickly. Ours is actually made from lucerne and stops the smell then it makes a great compost addition after. The clay stuff might last longer though. Why not just water test some for a while, see if it breaks down or changes the pH.

imy

The stuff I've dumped out of the litter tray right down the back of the house block is still looking okay, even after years. Maybe I'll give it a go and if it doesn't work out... no harm done, I'll dump it onto a tarp, let it dry out and the cat will have a lifetime supply!

imy

I've had a rethink. The stuff I have is just too small and grainy. I think I'll be looking for other options for media. :wink:

Outbackozzie

imy - roadbase gravel, even gippsland has tar roads by now. :lol:

trentski

novaris wrote:

Cat litter seems to be designed to be absorbent and I would have thought it might break down fairly quickly. Ours is actually made from lucerne and stops the smell then it makes a great compost addition after..

What about the risk of toxoplasmosis from the cat poo?

The stuff you put in the grease tray of the BBQ is exactly the same as the stuff you use for cat litter. Cheaper to use cat litter though due to marketing :roll:

novaris

Op's I meant added to compost pile not to garden as compost. As far as I know it's safe once it goes through the compost process and aging.

novaris

Here is some info from Medicinenet

Quote:

How can toxoplasmosis be prevented?

Since toxo usually causes mild to no symptoms, and a healthy immune system prevents any remaining parasites in the body from causing further symptoms, most people don't need to worry about getting this disease.

However, if you have a weakened immune system or are pregnant, there are several steps you should take to prevent exposure to toxoplasmosis.

* If you have a weakened immune system, get a blood test for toxoplasmosis. If your test is positive, your doctor can tell you if and when you need to take medicine to prevent the infection from reactivating.
* If you are planning on becoming pregnant, you may consider being tested for toxo. If the test is positive, there is no need to worry about passing the infection to your baby (since you should have immunity against the parasite).
* If you are already pregnant, you should discuss your risk of toxoplasmosis with your doctor who may order a blood sample for testing.
* Wear gloves when you garden or do anything outdoors that involves handling soil since cats often use gardens and sandboxes as litter boxes. Wash your hands well with soap and warm water after outdoor activities, especially before you eat or prepare food.
* Have someone else handle raw meat for you. If this is not possible, wear clean latex gloves and thoroughly wash with soap and hot water any cutting boards, sinks, knives, and other utensils that might have touched the raw meat. Wash your hands well with soap and warm water afterward.
* Cook all meat thoroughly, especially pork or veal.

And for your cat

Quote:

Once infected with toxo, is my cat always able to spread the infection to me?

No, cats can only spread toxo in their feces for a few weeks after they are first infected with the parasite. Like humans, cats rarely have symptoms when first infected, so most people don't know if their cat has been exposed to toxo. In fact, most infected cats appear healthy. There are no good tests available to determine if your cat is passing toxo in its feces.

imy

Outbackozzie wrote:

imy - roadbase gravel, even gippsland has tar roads by now. :lol:

Road gravel is okay? I thought it was 'not quite right' for aquaponics (ie: leeching of minerals etc and not too good with the water absorbing factor)

I 'think' I can get some expanded clay if I pay through the nose for postage... the only thing is... I don't know how much I'll need! How do you figure that out? :shock:

Jaymie

road gravel, which is (up here anyway) also known as blue metal or cracked granite it fine for AP, as long as it hasn't been sprayed with anything.

Someone (worms?) got some road gravel from nearby and later all his fish died. He has since changed the gravel and all is good.

If you get some, make sure it is "new" from a gravel supplier and not from a pile on the side of the road.

imy

Thanks... but I think I'll start with the 'good stuff' (ie clay if I can get it) and work my way down if the balls don't work.

TCLynx

If you can get reasonably prices gravel. Blue metal, river gravel, pea gravel, etc (so long as it isn't marble or limestone) it would probably be just fine. With any media, you want to make sure it hasn't been coated with oil or chemicals. I always vote for what is local and less money.

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Cat Litter as Growing Media?

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