3m Colorquartz just won't come clean! Help?
- Thread starter myswtsins
- Start date
Because I am going to stock cichlids that like/need sand. I have been rinsing it now for almost 1.5 hrs & I think it might be as clean as it is getting. At this rate I will have all 100lbs clean in about 50hrs of rinsing. 
hmmmm, how similar to sand is it particle size? I want to get the t-size which i guess is as close to gravel colorquartz wise. If the s-size is a bit bigger than sand i might do that instead. I have always found that just putting it in a collander and running the water threw without rubbing anything together cleans it the best. I will find out for myself ina few weeks because i too will be filling my 72 gal bowfront.
I challenge you to a 72 gallon bowfront dual! yar, which exit will win
I challenge you to a 72 gallon bowfront dual! yar, which exit will win
S-grade is very fine. It goes right through a kitchen strainer and standard window screening. It is about 0.21 mm in diameter.
When I went to buy mine they had displays of the grades & colors which was great! The T-Grade is like small chips of stones & the S-Grade is just like sand. I have never had sand before but I think it is very close to same size, if anything MAYBE bigger.
I accept! (why does that sounds so familar?) But good luck with your colorquartz! I wish there was a better way to clean it, & my hands now!
I accept!
(why does that sounds so familar?) But good luck with your colorquartz! I wish there was a better way to clean it, & my hands now!I just set up a 10g shrimp tank using estes marine sand, I think it's the same as 3M S grade. After trying to wash it I dumped it in, wrapped the filter intake with lots filter floss & let it coat all the bubbles it wanted. After a day or so it quit but I haven't tried a water change yet.
I also just got a Python & I'm not sure I want to risk the shrimp or the substate until I have a better idea of what may happen. I have visions of all substrate & animal life getting sucked up before I figure out how to stop it. Maybe after I try a pool sand tank I'll be brave.
I also just got a Python & I'm not sure I want to risk the shrimp or the substate until I have a better idea of what may happen. I have visions of all substrate & animal life getting sucked up before I figure out how to stop it. Maybe after I try a pool sand tank I'll be brave.
I think I have to toss this stuff. 
I have removed ALL the colorquartz and re-washed it as well as the tank & equipment. After 15+hrs of cleaning over many days it appeared clean but when I added it to the tank it turned the glass black & oily yet again.
I do not want to throw $72 in sand & $20 in gas down the drain, not to mention the hours of labor, but I do not see any other choice here. I had it in the tank running 2 filters packed with filter floss & carbon for a week too. I guess I just got some REALLY bad bags. I am so bummed!
*EDIT* My test batch is still oily so I am tossing this. Any good replacement suggestions? I like how heavy and VERY black this stuff is.
I have removed ALL the colorquartz and re-washed it as well as the tank & equipment. After 15+hrs of cleaning over many days it appeared clean but when I added it to the tank it turned the glass black & oily yet again. I do not want to throw $72 in sand & $20 in gas down the drain, not to mention the hours of labor, but I do not see any other choice here. I had it in the tank running 2 filters packed with filter floss & carbon for a week too. I guess I just got some REALLY bad bags. I am so bummed!
*EDIT* My test batch is still oily so I am tossing this. Any good replacement suggestions? I like how heavy and VERY black this stuff is.
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