Laterite is safe to use in an enclosed recalculating aquatic environment.

Laterite is safe to use in an enclosed recalculating aquatic environment.

 

Once again we’re back onto subject of Laterite being poisonous and turning ponds turbidity an Orange coloration. Now of course this is utter nonsense that Laterite is toxic to Koi (Cyprinus carpio) or any delicate species of fish for that matter. If it were then: Why is it that the Amazon has such an abundance of tropical fish, some being the most delicate on earth and Laterite laden waters are constantly flowing into their habitat? How can the indigenes people live is such an environment and drink the same poisonous water that the fish live in?

 

 Then we have Takashi Amano (and Dupla) a world famous photographer and very well known for his photographs of some of the most beautiful aquariums in the world. With such delicate tropical fish like: Pterophyllum altum, Symphysodon aeguifasciata aequifasciata, Petitella georgiae, or Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma. The aquariums’ he photographs uses Laterite as part of its substrate. This just would not add up if Laterite was so poisonous would it. The different tropical fish I have just named are far more delicate in nature than a hardy Koi is. Yet, Laterite does no harm to these animals, does it? In fact, they thrive in such waters. I guess nobody told them that the Laterite in their tanks is too toxic for them and they should all be dead.

 

 However, Mr. Amano decorates all his tanks based on “Nature’s own designs.” Some aquariums are over 5000 gallon in capacity. By now, it would be well known facts if the enclosed biotopes that Mr. Amano is so famous for were being poisoned by the Laterite that’s in their substrate, don’t you think? These rumors or nothing more than idle speculation at best, Laterite being poisonous to Koi and/or goldfish is unfounded bugaboo to scare off the hobbyist. With no scientific proof to back these accusations up; so then no one needs to worry about Laterite or cat litter being anything but safe for aquatic life.

 

I can see now where some hobbyists’ are saying that the Laterite discolors their pond water when Biocenosis baskets are disturbed and only when they are disturbed. However, with proper pre-fertilization a typical pond should clean up its own turbidly troubles in no time. Two weeks ago, a hobbyist called me and told me that the Laterite he bought was so fine it was like Telkom Powder. I told him to place one cup of Laterite in a Nylon stocking instead of just adding it loses to a basket. Now place that ball into the basket center with the cat litter surrounding it, problem eliminated if Biocenosis basket it tipped over. This Telkom Powder kind of Laterite is something new on the market. All the Laterite I’ve ever used looks like small chucks of Orange-Red clay, as shown in my CD-book.

 

I know that there are many vindictive hobbyists out there in hyperspace that would love to see hobbyist not use the Anoxic System, because it’s free and works. If there is a rumor, that Laterite is poisonous and someone’s trying to scare-off the hobbyist then let me know, I will definitely have it investigated by my chemist.  As far as I know the chemical composition of Laterite carries nothing harmful to Koi or Goldfish and is safe for aquatic life. As a professional aquatic microbiologist I can tell you this, it has many beneficial trace elements in it that will only benefit our Koi but not hurt them.

 

Takashi Amano is a photographer, designer and aquarist. His interest in aquaria led him to create the Japanese company Aqua Design Amano. Wikipedia
 Born: July 18, 1954 (age 59), Niigata, Niigata Prefecture, Japan

Note: If there are any scientific facts or proof that Laterite is poisonous that you or anyone else has read? If so, please tell all of us so we can all look it up. I’ve used it for over thirty years with no casualties from its use, ever.