Does anyone have first hand experience using fired clay such as turface mvp ?

[anewbie]

I'm curious if anyone on this forum have first hand experience using turface mvp or similar fired clay substrate either for substrate or filtration and if so what are your observations ?

 

[Rusty_Shackleford27 142]

I've used Turface, as part of my substrate mixture in dart frog vivarium. I have not used Turface in an aquarium.
Turface is just a fired clay broken down into smaller particles. You might want to take a look at Safe T Sorb as a substrate. It's the same calcined fires clay as Turface, still has CEC capabilities but the particles are larger and it makes a great substrate for plants.

 

[anewbie]

I've used Turface, as part of my substrate mixture in dart frog vivarium. I have not used Turface in an aquarium.
Turface is just a fired clay broken down into smaller particles. You might want to take a look at Safe T Sorb as a substrate. It's the same calcined fires clay as Turface, still has CEC capabilities but the particles are larger and it makes a great substrate for plants.

As a substrate i prefer 0.5mm to 1mm - of course it should be rounded and not sharp edge if possible. Mr. google claims safe T sorb is 1mm to 5mm which is way too big. Mrs google claims Turface mvp is 0.43 to 3.36; interesting they give this break down:
6 Mesh (3.36 mm): ~16% of the mix
8 Mesh (2.38 mm): ~41% of the mix
12 Mesh (1.68 mm): ~24% of the mix
20 Mesh (0.84 mm): ~18% of the mix
30 Mesh and finer: ~1% of the mix
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I suppose using safe to sorb at the lower level and something finer above it might be an option.
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Binary Google provides this tid-bit if it is accurate very interesting:

I wonder if fracturing in an aquarium is good or bad.

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Key Comparison
Structure & Durability: Turface MVP is baked at a higher temperature, making the granules harder, heavier, and more resistant to breaking down into mud over time. Safe-T-Sorb is lower-fired and is notorious for fracturing, becoming dusty, and compacting over the years if heavily disturbed. 

Sunken Treasure Aquatics
+3
Color: Turface MVP has a bright, tan-buff color. Safe-T-Sorb is a darker, more natural-looking greyish-brown. 
Water Chemistry: Both have a high Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), meaning they will absorb and hold nutrients in the root zone. However, fresh clay will strip nutrients and minerals (like KH and GH) from your water column until it becomes fully saturated. 

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Sad Google found this tid bit if you ask the right question:

Particle Size & Shape: Turface MVP has a more uniform and larger grain size (usually 6 to 20 mesh), creating excellent interstitial gaps that allow burrowers to dig without causing the substrate to turn into a suffocating, muddy slurry. Safe-T-Sorb is also a great substrate, but its grains tend to be softer, meaning digging fishes can grind it down into fine silt that can clog filters or compact into a dense, anaerobic layer over time.

 

[Rusty_Shackleford27 142]

Yes Safe T Sorb is bigger and definitely has more variation in particle size. I actually like the colors of it though. It looks pretty natural. I wish I had some photos to show you. I like the variation in size and color personally.
I'm sure you could put Safe T Sorb in a pillow case and smash it to get the particle size smaller.
I've never had an issue with dust as I rinse all substrate regardless of what it is.
I've seen anecdotes about it lasting for years, I think the stories about Safe T Sorb breaking down are an urban myth. I've seen more on forums about it lasting a long long time.
Safe T Sorb is pretty dang cheap too.
I don't think you could go wrong with either so it probably just comes down to personal preference.