Depending on how much you're looking for, about 60 pounds will make for a decent wallow in a bathtub size area (stopped up or plugged!!). Depends on what you're trying to fill, how long you plan on keeping it, etc.
I've order 30 x 20kg bags of Premium builders clay for my home mud pit.... not sure if it's available in your country. It's Kaolin type clay that comes in powder form and you simply mix with water. It's used as an additive/plasticiser for cement and rendering but it is amazing for mud play..... it is just like the clay found in quarry pits with no sand in it at all.
As far as I'm aware, as long as you keep it covered when not in use, it will last for a very long time.
I wouldn't, however, recommend disposing large quantities of it it down the drains as it is liable to block them!!
Kaolin clay (white) is the nicest clay but most expensive. The middle tier is various red and brown art clays used for pottery. The cheapest clay (gray) is ball clay. Clay will last pretty much forever but practically speaking it last until it becomes in some way contaminated with dirt or body hair.
I suggest storing clay in five gallon plastic buckets when it is not in use.
Clay is best used outside where it can be hosed off into the grass, as it doesn't take much of it to start causing real problems with your plumbing.
I did some testing this summer, and I found that I preferred the red clay without grog. I tried several types of the kaolin clay, and found that they didn't have enough "body" for the sensation I liked. It also looks nice and dark compared to the others. A common brand is "Red Art" clay, and you can buy it by the large bag at a pottery or ceramic shop.
You'll want to wear a mask when mixing it, as the powder will get into your lungs, and just like with your pipes, is not good for you.
Burrowbear said: You'll want to wear a mask when mixing it, as the powder will get into your lungs, and just like with your pipes, is not good for you.
Mask and eye protection for sure when mixing. You don't want hydrophilic clay dust getting on your eyeballs! And check if the clay has any additives - some may be carcinogenic if inhaled!
I'm plotting to make a backyard pit by converting an IBC tote and filling it with bentonite clay.
Uh, pottery clay is an oxygen free environment except on the top surface, therefore anaerobic bacteria are generally the only bacteria found in pottery clay. While anaerobic bacteria are certainly not all benign, you are not very likely to catch anything playing in pottery clay...
You can also add a small amount of bleach to your water at first or when the pit is full, to help keep bacteria down. Be sure to mix well. I love Redart, and sometimes add some kaolin to lighten the color, but have not been as pleased as with the darker reddish brown. There are darker colors of clay powder, but they are expensive and I'm leery of what chemical compounds are in them. Barnard slip powder makes an incredibly dark black/brown.
We have been using an IBC tote for 3 years now and it never disappoints. Each year we work to perfect a heating system to allow us to enjoy our tote for several months before the hard cold weather sets in. We use bentonite clay mixed with rain water with bromine for sanitation. Usually we take water from our hot tub to mix the clay so its already warm so it can be enjoyed immediately. Just wish there were slightly larger totes to accommodate both of us comfortably and for depth. But for now, we enjoy hours of pleasures.
FarmCouple, have you considered getting a non-functioning hot tub shell for more room. Maybe even a cattle watering trough could work and not be too expensive.
Columbusmud said: FarmCouple, have you considered getting a non-functioning hot tub shell for more room. Maybe even a cattle watering trough could work and not be too expensive.
We do have a older hot tub but its in use for now with water. And hard to hide from visiting family snooping around the barn. We both enjoy the depth factor and being suspended in the clay. All good ideas, and we have considered them, the trough would be good for slime, just have not acquired one yet.
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