3M Colorquartz question

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I use the S grade it is still bigger than any other sand and is very heavy. I get it for $22 for each 50lb bag. I would use 75-100lbs on a 75 gal tank. I just used 200lbs on a 180g tank. I love this stuff.
 
i need to know if there is a website that sells t grade cant find it in nyc
 
RedTailKinG;2863973; said:
i need to know if there is a website that sells t grade cant find it in nyc
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This were the only distributors I found in the NY area, not sure how close any of them are to you?


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AGSCO Corporation &nbsp201-393-0300
621 Route 46
Hasbrouck Heights NJ 07604
* Distributor - Floors, Pools
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SCP Distributors, LLC (732)271-1177
Bldg. 6 E Easy Street
Bound Brook NJ 08805
* Distributor - Pools - New, Remodel
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SCP Distributors, LLC &nbsp518-489-4401
45 Industrial Park Road
Albany NY 12206
* Distributor - Pools
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SCP Distributors, LLC (845)624-0370
246 West Nyack Road
West Nyack NY 10994
* Distributor - Pools - New, Remodel
 
To answer the question pointed to me, No, my Geos, Gymnos, Mikrogeos, corys, and Loaches do not seem to mind the T Grade. They pull it in and spit it out, Corys and loaches dig like mad! I do sometimes get some algea on it, if they don't stir enuff, but that is minimal, I also get mine from AGSCO here in Wheelling Ill.....

WASH THE CRAP OUT OF IT! DO NOT JUST PLUG AND PLAY! sorry, no one had stated how much washing color quartz needs.....

Nuthman~
 
nuth88;2864097; said:
To answer the question pointed to me, No, my Geos, Gymnos, Mikrogeos, corys, and Loaches do not seem to mind the T Grade. They pull it in and spit it out, Corys and loaches dig like mad! I do sometimes get some algea on it, if they don't stir enuff, but that is minimal, I also get mine from AGSCO here in Wheelling Ill.....

WASH THE CRAP OUT OF IT! DO NOT JUST PLUG AND PLAY! sorry, no one had stated how much washing color quartz needs.....
Nuthman~
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Really? I can dump a 50 lbg bag in a 30 gallon rubbermaid, turn the hose on to 'jet' and spray it for 15-20 minutes continuously. That may be a lot of washing? Wasn't that much to me.. not compared to the horror stories I have heard about PFS (never dealt with PFS before).. though I agree with you, it does need a very thorough washing.

Regarding washing the 3mCQ - if you do not wash it thoroughly, it will leave a residue on the top of the water for a few days. A protein skimmer will make short work of it quickly; good filtration will as well. From my experience, it is nontoxic to the fish, though i have not run lab tests on it.

Another warning on this stuff, it WILL dye the hell out of you and whatever you are washing it in. be sure to wash with gloves, I use dish gloves, as even industrial soap will not even get the dye off. It'll take a few days of normal wear and tear on the the skin before it sloths off with your skin.

If you do not wash as well as you should, and indeed halfass it, you WILL notice it. If you have digging fish, they will look partially dyed for a fe days as well, if they start digging around. This stuff does seem to leech off of the granules over time to the point it either leeches off or becomes secured to the granule... I don't know which. At any rate, the dye will no longer be an issue. I experienced these learning mistakes when I started off with T-grade a few years ago.

HTH a bit more on the subject.
 
teqvet;2863304; said:
Wow, really? How do you manage that? I have just as much issue with S-grade as I do T-grade siphoning out, and that is no issue at all.

How do the tanks look dirty? I mean is the water dirty? walls dirty? how's the sand cause the rest of the tank do be dirty? Maybe I am misunderstanding what you're saying? What color are you using?
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If your water changer has any pressure to it it will siphon up the s-grade. Having big fish who take big ****s in your tank will be a problem because you won't be able to siphon it out. If you've got small/boring fish it won't be a problem. My fish can't even swim across the tank without kicking the sand up. If you have a python and intend on using it DO NOT BUY S-GRADE.

Every time I clean my canister filters and HOB's they're filled with this stuff. As soon as my python touches the water my fish go crazy and stir everything up. It's is not a good idea to keep with big cichlids. I could see it working with smaller/mellow (geos/eartheaters) but don't expect this to be good for glass bangers. I paid $25 each per 50lb. bag.
 
teqvet;2864172; said:
Really? I can dump a 50 lbg bag in a 30 gallon rubbermaid, turn the hose on to 'jet' and spray it for 15-20 minutes continuously. That may be a lot of washing? Wasn't that much to me.. not compared to the horror stories I have heard about PFS (never dealt with PFS before).. though I agree with you, it does need a very thorough washing.

Regarding washing the 3mCQ - if you do not wash it thoroughly, it will leave a residue on the top of the water for a few days. A protein skimmer will make short work of it quickly; good filtration will as well. From my experience, it is nontoxic to the fish, though i have not run lab tests on it.

Another warning on this stuff, it WILL dye the hell out of you and whatever you are washing it in. be sure to wash with gloves, I use dish gloves, as even industrial soap will not even get the dye off. It'll take a few days of normal wear and tear on the the skin before it sloths off with your skin.

If you do not wash as well as you should, and indeed halfass it, you WILL notice it. If you have digging fish, they will look partially dyed for a fe days as well, if they start digging around. This stuff does seem to leech off of the granules over time to the point it either leeches off or becomes secured to the granule... I don't know which. At any rate, the dye will no longer be an issue. I experienced these learning mistakes when I started off with T-grade a few years ago.

HTH a bit more on the subject.
Click to expand...

It took me over an hour per 50 pound bag to wash it. Wear rubber gloves unless you want your hands to be black from stirring it.
 
Camphilophus;2864195; said:
If you have a python and intend on using it DO NOT BUY S-GRADE.
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Im using it in a 125 & a 280 with big fish, not "small boring fish" as you say. I have good water pressure and use a python. If I hold it at an angle, suck the sand up and let it swirl around it works well, or...if I swirl it above the sand it will stir up all the crap on top and suck it up.

What do you use substrate?...because PFS and playbox sand is lighter than the S or T Grade.
 
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