I recently bought a name brand clay that wasn't on the market when I was doing my test and analysis of the other brands.
The first thing I do before sending it to the lab is a physical test to see how well it goes into suspension. I use about 6 oz. of water in a small glass, add 1 teaspoon of the clay and then swirl the water in the glass after which I let it stand overnight.
When I did that test I discovered to my surprise that it is a sodium (swelling) bentonite. I also did the same test with my clay and took pictures to show the difference.
Just be careful with the clay you put into your ponds and be sure it is a calcium bentonite and not sodium bentonite unless you have a mud pond and need to seal a leak.
I’ll not post the name brand of the clay since it comes from a large company and they could possibly cause me some grief.
You can see in the photo the one on the right has almost filled the glass and where it touched the sides of the glass it stuck. When I empty the glasses the one with sodium will most likely be difficult to clean.
Gene