If you are interested in 3M Colorquartz I have a source. I'm working with one of the national 3M representatives on marketing the Colorquartz line to the aquarium trade. Accordingly, I'm promised ready access to the product. I currently have a source that just took shipment of a 48 bag pallet of Black T-Grade, they also have other colors plus S-Grade (15 pallets in total). Meantime, we may add "Aquarium Hobbyist" friendly to the 3M Colorquartz Where to Find drop down selection which is currently limited to "Pools" and "Flooring".
I'll probably be involved in testing the product in different aquarium applications so if you are interested in assisting (which means free substrate), please let me know. If we get into repacking we plan on labeling it as hobbyist tested and approved. T grade which is great for planted aquaria is sharp and angular so it is not a good product for substrate diggers (especially corys); however, the S Grade is perfectly round and smooth and is a little larger than sand. We will be testing that product for compatibility with substrate diggers. In the 50lb bag it is considerably cheaper than Tahitian Black Sand.
Disclaimer: I have no financial interest in this venture.
3M Colorquartz
Im interested in testing it as well.
I have two tanks I can test it in that have not been set up yet.
20L (waiting for cork wall silicon to cure) and then I will be recaulking all the corners I can access.
30 breeder (havent tested it for water holding ability yet)
I can also redo the 55 community tank to see how it does compared to the Schultzs I have in there now.
I have two tanks I can test it in that have not been set up yet.
20L (waiting for cork wall silicon to cure) and then I will be recaulking all the corners I can access.
30 breeder (havent tested it for water holding ability yet)
I can also redo the 55 community tank to see how it does compared to the Schultzs I have in there now.
The other Jeff
Master of growing algae and getting better at plants
Master of growing algae and getting better at plants
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SCMurphy
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I use it to cap my soil substrate, the T grade is my favorite stuff. The other thing I really like about it is that it holds a slope almost forever.
I also do not have any problems with the corys in the tanks that have the ColorQuartz.
How can I get a couple 50 pound bags out of this?
I also do not have any problems with the corys in the tanks that have the ColorQuartz.
How can I get a couple 50 pound bags out of this?
Last edited by SCMurphy on Fri Nov 30, 2007 5:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"したくさ" Sean
Aquascape? I'm a crypt farmer.
If you've got bait, I've got wasabi!
I wish I could be like Mr. Sarcastic when I grow up!
Aquascape? I'm a crypt farmer.
If you've got bait, I've got wasabi!
I wish I could be like Mr. Sarcastic when I grow up!
Really no problems - I have yet to use it; however, just rubbing it between my fingers it seems to be very sharp. Regardless, if we have an experience base that indicates that is not a problem that is very good news!SCMurphy wrote:
I also do not have any problems with the corys in the tanks that have the ColorQuartz.
This is my hundredth post in the GWAPA Forum. I'm patting myself on the back.
I dont quite know how but I evidently will have 240 posts after this.mab wrote: This is my hundredth post in the GWAPA Forum. I'm patting myself on the back.
I am curious to see how my Synos and Botia Morleti will tolerate this stuff. Also the Keyholes are trying to breed I think, they keep making pits.
The other Jeff
Master of growing algae and getting better at plants
Master of growing algae and getting better at plants
To me (a low-to-moderate light person) the difference in inert and porous/micro-porous substrates is trivial, and only significant in immature tanks. If you opt for inert substrate, starting with a dusting of ground peat or a bit more recycled mulm, you can pretty much equalize the two forms. After six months it matters not in my tanks, as the mulm is filling the need anyway. For higher light and supplement folks, Murphy's Miracle Mud (or comparable) with the inert material capping it should still equalize the performance between the substrate formats. With the inert materials, for me the tank still needs excess mulm removal every year or two to avoid the sort of tank problems* I have had during the worst of my eye problems (both those situations are improving BTW, the tanks are almost back to being presentable). That likely happens better with the popular stem growers than with non-stem growers like me - I have to schedule cleanups whether growth demands it or not. Miracle Mud growers may well fare better on that score - its undisturbed lifespan should be a lot longer than more common (commercial) substrates.
*Generally too little nitrate, too much or too little of the rest of the macros and micro-nutrients.
*Generally too little nitrate, too much or too little of the rest of the macros and micro-nutrients.
Where's the fish? Neptune
Michael, I know I'd talked to you about this.
I have an upcoming 33g cube, and a 180g tank, that'll both be using some 3m product.
You may want to talk to the rep about including Accent Stone in the testing, as it is almost custom made for those who want something larger than sand, but smaller than typical LFS gravel.
I have an upcoming 33g cube, and a 180g tank, that'll both be using some 3m product.
You may want to talk to the rep about including Accent Stone in the testing, as it is almost custom made for those who want something larger than sand, but smaller than typical LFS gravel.
Dave
