Im having trouble finding black sand thats not iron slag, I have checked all the hardware stores in my area to no avail. Tahitian moon is to expensive as i need a lot of itl anyone know where i can get it?
wanted black sand
- Thread starter jtrotter77
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The black sand that's derived from coal slag is reputed to be OK in aquariums provided you're not housing sand-sifters. OSHA states this material is inert in water. And, at an average cost of just under $20/delivered for a 25lb container, it may be worthwhile as an alternative to the $2 and up per pound tahitian black sand (plus shipping). I'm tempted to order a container and place it in a tank w/o fish, test it for a month or so, and try a few fish to see how they react.
3M color quartz is an alternative that costs $17-25 per 50 pound bag. search the 3M site and find where there is a distributer located near you. i got mine at a National Pool and Tile for $16.59 per 50 pounds. it comes in many colors and 2 grades. S grade is very fine and T grade is small but more coarse. here is the display sample.
ok i tried to look it up but it only showed distributers in Fl and WA , that cant be right can it? Im in Tn
I have used the black magic coal slag product and I love it. check your local welding supplier for availability. It also states on the bag used for filtration so its completly safe.
As an aside, there is currently a petition to have 3M sell directly to your local LFS. I guess there are a number of hobbyists that want to purchase in smaller quantities and have difficulty doing so going through traditional pool/cement industries.
http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/3mcolorquartz
Here is a quote from the petition...
"3M Colorquartz should be sold in local pet stores as substrate
Created by Dave Franken on June 7th, 2005 at 5:39 pm AST
While on the phone with a representative of 3M, he mentioned that the guys in marketing were monitoring and/or counting the calls regarding the colorquartz. They were looking to see how many calls were from aquarium owners looking to use the Colorquartz as a substrate.
I believe that by signing this petition we may be able to influence 3M into selling this to local pet store distributors as a substrate. If they see that there's a demand for it, they will be much more likely to explore their options in the aquarium substrate market.
Sign this petition to show that you would buy 3M Colorquartz sand if it were available in local pet stores.
This would mean no more shipping charges for 50-lb bags for us, and fewer hernias suffered by our local UPS personel.
Please, think of the UPS man.
P.S. - Contrary to the above line, this is a serious petition aimed at influencing a major company into better serving us - the consumers. Please take a moment and sign this petition."
http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/3mcolorquartz
Here is a quote from the petition...
"3M Colorquartz should be sold in local pet stores as substrate
Created by Dave Franken on June 7th, 2005 at 5:39 pm AST
While on the phone with a representative of 3M, he mentioned that the guys in marketing were monitoring and/or counting the calls regarding the colorquartz. They were looking to see how many calls were from aquarium owners looking to use the Colorquartz as a substrate.
I believe that by signing this petition we may be able to influence 3M into selling this to local pet store distributors as a substrate. If they see that there's a demand for it, they will be much more likely to explore their options in the aquarium substrate market.
Sign this petition to show that you would buy 3M Colorquartz sand if it were available in local pet stores.
This would mean no more shipping charges for 50-lb bags for us, and fewer hernias suffered by our local UPS personel.
Please, think of the UPS man.
P.S. - Contrary to the above line, this is a serious petition aimed at influencing a major company into better serving us - the consumers. Please take a moment and sign this petition."
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