Anyone here uses 3m Colorquartz as substrate?

I just bought some 3m Colorquartz to be used as substrate and was wondering if its inert and just needs to be rinsed? Its gonna be used in almost all my tanks planted with java moss and micro swords etc.
Also I bought an extra bag of tan color thinking they are ceramic coated and inert, just to be used as playsand for my son and when I got home I saw that it has a print on the bag saying it can cause cancer!???
Anyone can shed some light on this?

Also I bought an extra bag of tan color thinking they are ceramic coated and inert, just to be used as playsand for my son and when I got home I saw that it has a print on the bag saying it can cause cancer!???

It most likely contains silica, so you'll want to rinse it really well before you use it. Also, try not to breath the dust, it causes 'black lung disease'

This is why one should use sand from the creek.

This is why one should use sand from the creek.

Sand from the creek also has silica in it. (But at least it is free!)

What makes the "playsand" they sell at homedepot different than these "silica" sand? Pre washed? If its the dust, I think the playsand they let kids roll around in also has lots of fine dust.
I bought the 3m Colorquartz mainly for the uniform color, was about to get the Tahitian Moon sand but these were better as they have rounded edges that won't scratch up my acrylic tanks as easily.

Sand = silica. All sand = silica. It's what it's made of. When you're dealing with very fine silica dust, the stuff can get in your lungs and cause tears and the body's healing reflex sometimes goes bugnutz and goes cancerous. Same idea as what happens with airborne asbestos fibers.

3M ColorQuartz is just dyed sand. I don't remember if they put an epoxy coating on it or not. I know a lot of the colored aquarium sand you can get is epoxy treated to be inert in most water conditions. ColorQuartz is intended for sandblasting, and colored so you can see where the sand is going when you're blasting. I've heard a bunch of people (mainly in my local club) who love it in their aquarium, but I have no firsthand experience. Wouldn't mind getting some black stuff or very dark brown, though, for display tanks.

For keeping native fish, though, native dirt works pretty well.

It says on the website that the 3m stuff is quartz and that each grain is coated in a hard ceramic coating to make it durable. The ones I got are made mainly for use in swimming pools and flooring.
The black stuff is really neat and they also have the darker brown which is nice and contrasty against plants.

Sand = silica. All sand = silica.

Not entirely true. If it is a coral sand it will be calcium carbonate with a little Magnesium carbonate mixed in.

bearskookums,

There was a discussion about using the Colorquartz sand in planted aquaria on The Planted Tank Forum on Sunday. Their URL is: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/.

Not entirely true. If it is a coral sand it will be calcium carbonate with a little Magnesium carbonate mixed in.

Point. Although typically, if you're buying coral sand, it'll say that on the tin. If you're digging some up (Say, you're in Florida, near someadem clearwater springs, etc) you should be aware. Thanks!

Sand = silica. All sand = silica. It's what it's made of. When you're dealing with very fine silica dust, the stuff can get in your lungs and cause tears and the body's healing reflex sometimes goes bugnutz and goes cancerous. Same idea as what happens with airborne asbestos fibers.

3M ColorQuartz is just dyed sand. I don't remember if they put an epoxy coating on it or not. I know a lot of the colored aquarium sand you can get is epoxy treated to be inert in most water conditions. ColorQuartz is intended for sandblasting, and colored so you can see where the sand is going when you're blasting. I've heard a bunch of people (mainly in my local club) who love it in their aquarium, but I have no firsthand experience. Wouldn't mind getting some black stuff or very dark brown, though, for display tanks.

For keeping native fish, though, native dirt works pretty well.

Hello,

Just visiting from some other fish forums.

3M Colorquartz is NOT dyed sand. It is ceramic coated silica sand. It is NOT a sandblasting media. It is used to tint custom pools, spas, and concrete floors. The sandblasting media that people use in aquariums are not suitable for bottom dwellers. It is too sharp. Colorquatrz is very good substrate if you keep bottom dwellers.

To the OP--Colorquartz IS inert, but it needs to be rinsed *very* well. You can thank litigating lawyers for the cancer warning. Try to not breathe the dust when you are cleaning it. This warning applies to all sand.

IMO, Colorquartz is the most beautiful sand to use in tanks. I use in alone in one of my planted tanks, and mixed with EcoComplete in another. I will soon be setting up a 120 gallon South American Eartheater tank in which I will use CQ as the substrate.

I am in no way affiliated with 3M. I am just a seasoned hobbiest that does not like to see misinformation spread.

Peter

Thanks for the info - I knew it was used decoratively, but thought it was originally intended for sandblasting media. Good to know!