substrate question
- Thread starter DISCIPLE
- Start date
I am using the T grade black in my 150 gallon. Only took about 100#s to cover the 5x2 bottom nicely
Steven
Steven
lol everything! how does it look, does it get richer in looks over time, how long have you had it? anything that you could tell me really thanks.terd ferguson;1151081; said:
DISCIPLE;1152727; said:
Ok, let me try to put down all I know about 3M's Color Quartz. First, here's 50 pounds of black "T Grade" in a 55 gallon tank...
Next, in my experience, it doesn't change colors. I've had it for a couple of months now. It comes in S Grade and T Grade. T grade is a little larger and a little heavier. I prefer the T Grade because when it gets stirred up by fishes, it settles back down much quicker and there's really no chance of it getting sucked up by your filters (unless they're really, really low). Saying T Grade is large is misleading though. It is a little larger than regular sand, but not very much.
I paid $30 for a 50 pound bag. I had to order through a distibuter in Ohio or someplace and picked it up at a local warehouse the same day.
I find the black sand with a black background really make my fish, plants, and driftwood stand out. I like it so much, I'm getting another 200 pounds for my 190 gallon.
When cleaning, I find the T Grade doesn't get sucked up in the gravel vacuum very easily. This is a bonus if you're not very good at cleaning sand (I wasn't at first, it takes some practice). Like I said, the heavier T Grade settles down much more quickly.
The best thing about 3M's Color Quartz is it's price, especially compared to something similar like Tahitian Moon Sand (also black). I've heard that you can even find similar products (colored quartz sand, not 3M's brand) even cheaper through pool supply stores. It doesn't hurt to call around. I will most likely do this for the above mentioned 190, just to see what's out there.
All in all, at the end of the day, I like it very much. The size is perfect, the color is great, and while not exactly natural (the look I usually prefer), it's very beautiful.
If you have any more specific questions, ask away and I'll try to answer.
For comparison, here's some recent photos (I just took them). The above photo is from a couple of months ago when I first got the sand.
Tank shot with flash...
Tank shot without flash...
Closeup with flash...
Closeup without flash...
Even the photos can't really do this substrate justice. It looks so much better in person. Let me know if I can be of further help.
Tank shot with flash...
Tank shot without flash...
Closeup with flash...
Closeup without flash...
Even the photos can't really do this substrate justice. It looks so much better in person. Let me know if I can be of further help.
And just for fun, here's who inhabits that tank (until the 190 is set up in a month or two)...
Aequidens rivulatus or Green Terror...
Cichlasoma octofasciatum or Jack Dempsey...
Aequidens rivulatus or Green Terror...
Cichlasoma octofasciatum or Jack Dempsey...
DISCIPLE;1152849; said:i sent u a pm i have questions
Just post them up here. It may help someone else later on down the line.
is it relatively inexpensive or expensive. i heard it was cheap. its hard to find here but i went through a pool company and they are looking into it and are supposed to call me. nice pics by the way. is it easy to clean? approx how much did your bottom require?