The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Mel on November 07, 2011, 12:00:05 pm

Title: Diatom Powder
Post by: Mel on November 07, 2011, 12:00:05 pm

Hi everyone,

I have just purchased some diatom powder off of the ebay,it has arrived But! This diatom powder is pinky red in colour.I have only ever seen white and grey diatom,never reddish! my OH said it smells like brick dust!

Mmmm,any one able to confirm regards the actual colours of diatoms.I have written to the seller and had no response whatsoever.It just seems so very strange.

Title: Re: Diatom Powder
Post by: Rosemary on November 07, 2011, 01:05:06 pm

Mine's always been a grey  cream colour and soft to handle - bit like talc.

Title: Re: Diatom Powder
Post by: Greenerlife on November 07, 2011, 01:09:15 pm

Only ever seen talc like grey Diatom, but this does not neccessarily mean that they haven't changed it.  Last container I bought had one of those plastic seals on it that you can't tamper with - did yours?  i would try going to a country store and asking if you can't get hold of the manufacturers.

Title: Re: Diatom Powder
Post by: JulieS on November 07, 2011, 02:53:09 pm

I've never seen that colour either. 

If you don't get a response from the seller contact ebay.  They are very helpful.

Title: Re: Diatom Powder
Post by: DJ_Chook on November 07, 2011, 05:36:31 pm

I've had pink before now and it smelled slightly fragrant, also had white & the usual grey. Common factor is that it all felt like talc powder.

Title: Re: Diatom Powder
Post by: daddymatty82 on November 07, 2011, 08:43:34 pm

which diatom did you get the poultry stuff or the food grade stuff? im not 100% but i think the reddish colour  is the  food grade stuff mine looks like  cement powder 

Title: Re: Diatom Powder
Post by: northfifeduckling on November 22, 2011, 11:05:20 pm

mine is greyish - according to Wikipedia it's supposed to be white or off-white. Threaten with negative feedback and you might actually get a reply. I've never seen or heard of red... :&>

Title: Re: Diatom Powder
Post by: CameronS on November 22, 2011, 11:08:30 pm

honestly it is genuine - i got  20kgs on ebay that happened to be pink,   i think it is dyed to stop other retailers bying and reselling as we got it a trade prices with no or very little mark up.

It works just aswell. i have had no mites since covering all my sheds and birds and rabbits with it.

Title: Re: Diatom Powder
Post by: jaykay on November 23, 2011, 12:28:29 am

Diatom 'shells', which is what the powder is made of, are colourless. They're made of silica (SiO2)
So anything reddish will have colour added. Which doesn't mean it isn't diatoms (with colour added  :D)