Koi Clay

[Koidaddy]

Who uses koi clay and why?

Chris :frisbee:

[Jackie Ramo]

I use koi clay. It adds trace minerals to the water for the fish It can be used to help clear green water and control string algae. Some flks dampen the pellets and sprinkle it on for the fish to eat.

There is a thread here about different clays
http://backyardpuddle.com/forum/showthread.php?t=149&highlight=clay

A search on clay shows several threads covering it.

[marla]

I used it last year, after reading some articles on it. I figured if it did nothing but supply the extra trace minerals to the fish, that was good for me. Any other added benifits are just a plus.

[TASSAJARA]

I purchased some clay last week, 20 pounds for $14.95 and $12.00 shipping. It is very very fine and dissolves quickly not clouding the water very much. Can’t say what it does for clearing the water because the water is very clear already but as some of you mentioned, I figure with an EPDM liner the extra minerals can’t hurt. I just put some barley straw in 3 weeks ago also so I won’t be able to tell if the clay helps with the algae as advertised. I hopefully will see some benefit with their coloration.
Anyway, the clay came with some recipes and uses so I thought I would post one of them for the benefit of those who like to give their water pet a special treat.
I’m planning on coating their feed with some of the clay as I used to and try to make some time to try the recipe. I will follow up with my results. As I’m sure this will be the first time making a special treat recipe for me, I’m sure it’s probably not the first time for some of you. Possibly, some of you can give some FEED :frisbee: back on your experiences with recipes.

Tks,
michael


Home made Koi Food Recipe

¼ lb. shrimp, cooked and peeld or imitation crab
Custom professional food contains fish meal (so use any fish or parts of fish from a supermarket in addition or in place of shrimp)
½ cup peas (cooked or frozen and squeeze out the skins)
½ cup slightly cooked carrots
½ cup cooked chopped spinach
½ cup calcium bentonite
1 egg
1 clove garlic
dash of orange juice for consistency
1 multi-vitamin/mineral pill
1 envelope Knox gelatin dissolved in about 1/8 cup of hot watter

Pulse everything in food processor to a course paste. Stir in about 1 cup wheat germ.
Spread to about ¼ inch thickness on wax papper. You can put a second sheet over top and roll it evenly. Refrigerate until firm and cut into ¼” cubes.
Freeze some for later feeding.

Options: If carrots, peas and spinach are chopped very fine then the cooking is not needed. Bananas, oranges, grapefruit and watermelon make great treats for koi, just dice and feed.

[Jackie Ramo]

Kale is a good replacement for spinach. Fish seem to prefer it although my fish like spinach they love kale.... oddly enough so do the dogs... I don't care for it myself...

[TASSAJARA]

They probably kike that, more for them. :lol:

[Jackie Ramo]

Many folks also dampen down the pellets and sprinkle them with koi clay to add it simply to any meal. I find adding it to the pond at feeding time does the same thing in principle.

[Ahhuhz]

I will start using it this year. Here is a good link with all you need to know and then some.

http://www.koiclay.com/

[Jackie Ramo]

Hey, Chuck, good to see you. Hope the babies are overwintering nicely for you in their new digs.

[Cinnamon]

I know for fact the Koi Clay helps knock down the string algae. It came out of nowhere once again. In two weeks of heavy dose you can tell the difference.

As far as the coating the food I had thought about it but the pellets I use have koi clay in them.

[Ahhuhz]

Hi Jackie,
I check in most days. Next month the cover comes off. So far the kids, big and little seem fine. Temps in the pond have been in the 40's and 50. What a difference that solar cover made.

[Jackie Ramo]

Wow that is quite a difference. The only solar cover my guys get is the ice and with today's rain it won't last long. Still the ones I can see look fine.

[Busy B]

I don't think I've seen any recent pics of your crew there Chuck. When you get the cover off, could you snap a couple?

[koicrazy]

Busy, Chucks pond is very nice but he has allready filled it with fish. So Chuck how about another rebuild. :lol: :lol: Marc

[Ahhuhz]

Hi Busy,
Hope to take the cover off for good the beginning of April I hope. We opened the sides this weekend when it was so nice. The kids look great and have grown some. Had lots of algae but the pond was MUCH warmer than last year. We may get some snow later this week. What a crazy year. Got a little more landscaping and fish picture taking coming soon.
Spring is only a week away!

[Jackie Ramo]

:lol: @ Marc. Yeah Chuck have you got that backyard pond mapped out yet????

[Busy B]

We've had the same kind of year Chuck..up and down and now we seem to be getting the snow...

I know towards the end of March last year, there was slush in the pond..Full moon is putting a nix to that..

So no new koi from Keirin or anywhere lately? Still have room for more?