Any Alternative To Tahitian Moon Sand?

[invader]

I've been thinking of changing my 125gl to black sand, instead of the natural sand. The only kind I can find is the tahitian moon sand, which is $20 for 20lb... a bit pricey if you ask me. Does anyone know of any alternatives of black sand brands (haha that sounds interesting) that aren't so expensive?

 

[Snooks1!]

I found a brand that's 5lbs/1$... I'll try to find the bag and let you know what it is.

 

[Dorkhedeos]

Try 3m colorquartz

 

[invader]

Try 3m colorquartz

which one is the 3m? there is a t grade and an s grade...

I found a brand that's 5lbs/1$... I'll try to find the bag and let you know what it is.

I'd like to know which one it is!

 

[Dorkhedeos]

3M is the brand. They make reflector tape and a whole bunch of other stuff. This colorquartz stuff is supposed to be for swimming pools, but ive heard it works great in aquariums.

 

[andyourblueblood]

3M is the brand. They make reflector tape and a whole bunch of other stuff. This colorquartz stuff is supposed to be for swimming pools, but ive heard it works great in aquariums.

i have never used colored pool filter sand, but i have used regular pool filter sand, and it works great. i get 50lbs for $5! not a bad deal eh?

 

[raptorrex]

http/solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_U...ducts/Crystals/

 

[Dorkhedeos]

I think the grades are just personal preferance. If you want coarser sand, get T, if you want finer, get S. You can also mix it if you want.

 

[kj23502]

Has anyone else used the 3M colored sand in their tanks? I'm a little nervous about adding it as I'm not sure about the granite mineral in it and the dye used to color it.

 

[raptorrex]

anyone got any idea where i can get this stuff, in the UK?

 

[invader]

3M is the brand.

Sorry, I typed that all wrong. I knew it was the brand, but I wanted to know what the difference in the two sizes were. I mean, one brand is "fine" but I don't know if that means "dusty" lol or "sandy".

Has anyone else used the 3M colored sand in their tanks?

I would also like to know this. If anyone hasn't tried it, I might try it out with ghost shrimp or something, then if they are ok, I'll try feeder guppies or something (as much as I hate to put animals in danger, someone has to try it...)

 

[Dorkhedeos]

I remember some people on this forum have tried it because it has come up before. Maybe they will see this thread and be kind enough to post

 

[raptorrex]

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...p;#entry1901088
but if you use the "3M" in the search there are one and 1/2 pages of threads. it looks like its a US only product, but i guess mail order is always an option, especially now as the A380 is finally flying. lol

 

[loachman]

I used the colorquartz in my tank. It looks great, doesn't compact, doesn't get moved much by flow (less than pool filter sand), and I've seen acceptable plant growth with just root tabs. I believe I have the S grade (it's the perfectly spherical one). The particle size is relatively small, but amazingly uniform.

The only negative is that it does need a very thorough washing. It tends to have a lot of dust out of the bag.

It has been up for a year with only the loss of 2 older platies. I have 6 rainbowfish, 2 bristlenoses, 1 otto, and a dozen botine loaches all been in there since shortly after startup. You shouldn't see any issues with it. There is some cichlid forum with an huge thread dedicated to these tanks where I originally found out about the product.

 

[raptorrex]

I used the colorquartz in my tank. It looks great, doesn't compact, doesn't get moved much by flow (less than pool filter sand), and I've seen acceptable plant growth with just root tabs. I believe I have the S grade (it's the perfectly spherical one). The particle size is relatively small, but amazingly uniform.

The only negative is that it does need a very thorough washing. It tends to have a lot of dust out of the bag.

It has been up for a year with only the loss of 2 older platies. I have 6 rainbowfish, 2 bristlenoses, 1 otto, and a dozen botine loaches all been in there since shortly after startup. You shouldn't see any issues with it. There is some cichlid forum with an huge thread dedicated to these tanks where I originally found out about the product.

lol read that thread whilst looking into this!