A Question About Clay

I've recently purchased some terracotta air-dry clay from a Hardware Store from the Craft section for use in a dirted tank substrate (I couldn't find AMACO's Mexican Red Clay anywhere other than online and the 5lbs bundles seems to bump the shipping fee up tremendously here in Sydney, Australia).

My first concern was the Iron content of the clay I had purchased, so I did some research when I got home and found absolutely nothing on this product. And since I couldn't find any information whatsoever about the product I have bought other than the fact that it is "Non-Toxic" I've decided to ask:

In regards to fish, plants and water chem/quality are there any negative effects if the wrong type of clay is used in the substrate?

At this point in time I'm not overly fussed about the clay not being beneficial, I'd just like to know if it could be harmful.

Thanks in advance for the replies.

*EDIT*

Oh, and Merry Christmas

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Permalink Reply by Peter on December 26, 2012 at 12:20pm

For fish no negative effects.

For plants no negative effects

For water Chem/quality it might release some tannis into ur tank but thats about it

the stuff fluorite that they saell at LFS and petco/petsmart is actually clay. All clay contains iron and at times other minerals. but different clay from diff areas contain a varied amount of iron and the other minerals.