3M colorquartz and substrate choices

neilanh · Post by **neilanh** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 12:12 am

Rumor has it you guys know of a place out near b-more to find this stuff. Can someone point me to them?

Also, as I'm debating substrates for my 125, should I mix anything with the 3M? I don't have the patience to do the DIY mix in the writeup Aaron did, but not sure going 100% inert is the right answer either.

125g tank, 312W T5 lighting, press CO2, heavily planted is the goal.

Help?

ingg · Post by **ingg** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 2:26 am

RAM Resinous Flooring & Quartz Supply, Inc. 888-264-1700
812 West Patapsco Avenue, Ste. M
Baltimore MD 21230
* Distributor - Floors, Pools

ingg · Post by **ingg** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 2:27 am

It'd mix great with Flourite black btw.

Post by **krisw** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 9:14 am

If you want heavily planted with that much light and CO2, I think you'd really regret going 100% inert.

SCMurphy · Post by **SCMurphy** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 9:15 am

ingg wrote:RAM Resinous Flooring & Quartz Supply, Inc. 888-264-1700
812 West Patapsco Avenue, Ste. M
Baltimore MD 21230
* Distributor - Floors, Pools

That's where I got my bags.

neilanh · Post by **neilanh** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 9:40 am

krisw wrote:If you want heavily planted with that much light and CO2, I think you'd really regret going 100% inert.

Yeah, but not sure what else to do without spending an arm and a leg to do it.

My original plan was to use schultz. As I understand it, Turface MVP is basically the same stuff, comes in a charcoal color. Is that correct?

I seem to recall at the GWAPA meeting at Robs house last year he used Turface, and placed a layer of peat underneath it. Would that be a good way to go?

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 10:21 am

Soil Master Select is also the same stuff as Schultz. The only issue with all three of those is that they are not very dense and are easily disturbed. Also, it can be tough to keep a plant planted that doesn't have a lot of roots to begin with.

If you go with one of those I would mix in some Flourite Black for extra weight.

Aquasoil is another good option. Of course, that one's the most pricey, but it does work very well.

neilanh · Post by **neilanh** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 4:06 pm

Thanks Aaron. I found some SMS charcoal and went and picked it up. I looked at the fluorite while I was out today, and it seems to me like due to it's weight and grain size it would just work it's way down to the bottom and settle. Thoughts?

Cristy Keister · Post by **Cristy Keister** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 4:31 pm

Light, floating SMS has not been my experience. I've got it in a 75g with a strong current from the filter. I haven't had any problem with the SMS blowing around or floating. The spraybar from the filter is even pointed down toward the bottom toward an unplanted area and the SMS stays put. My guess is that the consistency/weight of the clay varies from bag to bag as it also does with Flourite and Eco-Complete.

neilanh · Post by **neilanh** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 4:49 pm

Did you lay anything underneath the SMS? (peat, mulm, etc?)

3M colorquartz and substrate choices

3M colorquartz and substrate choices

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