| Diatomaceous earth (DE) filtration is common for | | | | on the bottoms of oceans, rivers, streams, and |
| swimming pools, fish tanks, and other filtering | | | | lakes. This creates an almost unending supply of |
| jobs, but what would you say if you heard that | | | | DC which has the appearance of a spiny |
| there is a food grade of this substance? No, not | | | | honeycomb. Since there is so much of it available, |
| food for people. Actually, though, it can be mixed | | | | people have come up with a variety of ways to |
| with animal feed for several different reasons. It | | | | use it. Depending on the manner in which it is |
| can also be used in a number of other processes. | | | | milled, it can be used in cosmetics, chemical |
| Since DE is nothing but the fossilized remains of | | | | insecticides, drugs, and paint, just to name a few. |
| diatoms, it's hard to believe it's such a valuable | | | | It truly is a very versatile material, and we aren't |
| material for modern use, but it is. This article will | | | | harming the environment in any way by making |
| explore some of the different ways that DE is | | | | use of it. |
| used. | | | | Processed correctly and mixed with animal feed, |
| As stated earlier, DE is the perfect substance for | | | | DE can have positive effects on animals. For |
| use in swimming pool and fish tank filters. It is | | | | example, horse feed mixed with DE twice daily, |
| composed of tiny chambers where contaminants | | | | has been known to cure scours (horse diarrhea) |
| can be caught and eliminated to help keep the | | | | when other types of medications proved |
| water fresh and clean. Since diatoms are water | | | | ineffective. In addition, horses showed increased |
| organisms, DE is mined from underwater deposits | | | | appetites, fly reduction, a lack of internal |
| and from dry creekbeds. There are large deposits | | | | parasites, weight gain, a healthier overall |
| of it in the western part of the U.S. as well as | | | | appearance, and a reduction in the odor of their |
| other places in the world. Pool filter grade DE is | | | | manure. As you can see, DE added to animal feed |
| heated and treated with chemicals which makes it | | | | can have a very positive effect, and it has been |
| poisonous for humans and animals. Therefore, this | | | | approved as safe by the FDA. |
| grade should not be ingested by anyone. | | | | Whether it is used for animal feed, in pesticides |
| Diatoms are considered the grass of the ocean, | | | | and cosmetics, or for diatomaceous earth |
| and hundreds of different species of marine life | | | | filtration in pools and fish tanks, there are many |
| feed on them, just as land animals graze on grass. | | | | uses that have been discovered for what is |
| As a result, billions of diatom shells are deposited | | | | essentially a waste product. Now that's ecology! |