Just curious how well this stuff is with plants (the finner S grade). Even though its expensive, and not really local (but might be able to put a group buy together to pay for the gas) its still cheaper than tahitian moon sand. And other than those two I havent been able to find another suitable black substrate.

I might just go with pool filter sand and save some money, but I really like the look of black substrate (especially since the tank is already painted black too). As Tom has stated in my other posts my original idea of Aqua Soil Amazonia isnt going to work with active bottom dwellers like clown loaches. So I am just entertaining the thought of ColorQuartz. Looking for some opinions...

Tahitian moon sand, black beauty etc are black substrates, Eco complete would also qualify.

Regards,
Tom Barr

Well, like I said Tahitian Moon Sand is more expensive. Black Beauty is reportedly too sharp for bottom dwellers, and Eco is actually more expensive than even AS. AS is out but would you think Eco would get along with my loaches? Pricey, but at least it would have some nutrients for the plants where sand wouldn't.

FWIW the going rate at my closest ColorQuartz distributor for S grade black is $30/50#. Not sure if I can get it any cheaper with a larger order will call back and ask.

I've found that the Eco Complete doesn't bother my cory's much. Their barbells look fine, better than when I got them in fact. Plants love it too. Their roots can really grab onto it.

Luckily I'm near That Fish Place and can get it relatively cheap.

*Bump*

Just wanted to see once more if anyone has used 3M ColorQuartz with plants? The only reason (other than it being a little pricey) that I am questioning using it is its rather fine .5MM size if I remember correctly (the S grade). I've been told it wont compact, probably due to the fact that the particles are about perfectly spherical, but I am unsure if this fine grain size might pose a problem for plant roots or not. BTW here is there website: 3M ColorQuartz

I've used the 3M black to mix with Onyx sand and with Soil Master to hold the plants down. I know people who use it straight and it works nicely to highlight the plants.

-Russ

Russ - thanks for the reply. Do you have any more info? Did you use the S grade or T grade? Did it seem to hold the plants well compared to other substrates? Just trying to get as much info as I can before I make a decision.

I'm a member of SWOAPE (SouthWest Ohio Aquatic Plants Enthusiasts) and we bought a pallet of it and split it up. We got the "T" grade which is a nice fine grain, but not too fine and weighs plants down nicely. The SWOAPE web forum is at, http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/f.../swoape-forum/ . The current president of the organization uses it without amendment and finds that plants grow well in it. His handle is 'MatPat' and if you post a question regarding it I'm sure he will pick up on it.

Good luck,

-Russ

Shucks. I was hopping you'd used the S grade. The problem with the T grade even though its coarser which is desirebale, its suppose to be a lot more abrasive. I've already talked to many who have used the T grade, and most of them warn that it wouldnt be good with sensative bottom dwellers like loaches that nose around in it and sometimes burrow into it.

Thats cool you guys did a bulk buy. Too bad I'm up here in central ohio. How long ago was it? And do you happen to recall the price? Just trying to figure out if the price went up or maybe its more expensive in lesser quantities. The fellow in Clevelend selling it wants $30-35 / bag and seems like almost everyone else who has bought it paid $18-26 / bag.

I know one of the SWOAPE member's is up in Dayton, and another fairly close to Columbus? You are not that far from a meeting with them

Regards,
Tom Barr