Black gravel/sand

[Fresh04]

I am going ahead with starting up a new 30g and moving my plants and fish from my existing 36. I am using Flourite in my current tank, but my fiance and I decided that we want to try black gravel or sand. I see that Eco-complete comes in black, as does Flourite, and they seem to have a sand as well. I know we could just buy black painted stone at the LFS.

Anybody have a good recommendation? Cost is a consideration, but is not completely driving this selection.

 

[KuchDaddy]

I use black Colorquartz. I love it. It is not an aquarium specific product, it is a construction product, so you need to get it at pool/construction/concrete wholesalers usually.
Usually around $20 - $30 for a 50 pound bag. A 50 lb bag was the exact amount needed for my 55 gal.

Here are some pics of my tanks:
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=177799

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=177612

 

[tennesseemom]

I love Tahatian Moonsand. is that colorquartz s grade or t grade, it's beautiful!

 

[KuchDaddy]

I love Tahatian Moonsand. is that colorquartz s grade or t grade, it's beautiful!

It is s-grade. Thanks!

 

[Fresh04]

That substrate looks great, Kuch!
Colorquartz black, and this would be something a stone dealer would have? Is it meant for coloring concrete? I'll have to ask around and see if I can acquire it locally.

 

[KuchDaddy]

Yes, I think it is used for coloring concrete.
It's made by 3M.
I think that the 3M website has a dealer locator you could try.

 

[Fresh04]

Awesome, thanks for this info. There are some distributors in CT here, although they are out of the way a bit. However, there is an applicator right in town, so I'm going to give them a call and I'm hoping they can get me a bag of this.
Now that I've seen the colorquartz I'm really hoping I can get my hands on it...

 

[KuchDaddy]

Awesome, thanks for this info. There are some distributors in CT here, although they are out of the way a bit. However, there is an applicator right in town, so I'm going to give them a call and I'm hoping they can get me a bag of this.
Now that I've seen the colorquartz I'm really hoping I can get my hands on it...

Cool!
It is really important to clean it well before using it.
Rinse it in a bucket about a million times until the water almost pours off clear. It will turn your water black otherwise.
I have had it for a year with no problems. The cories love digging their faces in it.

 

[tennesseemom]

I think you can also pick up at pool stores, the ones that will install a pool at your house.

 

[KuchDaddy]

Awesome, thanks for this info. There are some distributors in CT here, although they are out of the way a bit. However, there is an applicator right in town, so I'm going to give them a call and I'm hoping they can get me a bag of this.
Now that I've seen the colorquartz I'm really hoping I can get my hands on it...

Oh, also, it comes in two grades. S-Grade and T-Grade. T-Grade is larger pieces, but I have heard that they can be sharp and angular. Some folks think this may result in injury to digging fish and critters, so I went with S-Grade which is smaller rounder granules.