EbiBunBun Posted December 17, 2014 Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 So as I wait for the new shrimp to come. I'm still fiddling with the tanks and trying to figure out the best substrate in relation to the color of the shrimp. Something that will be light enough for blue/dark shrimp. Since for Neos I don't need to use something to do a job for the water buffering I can choose just for aesthetics. Right now all my tanks have black sand and low light. It was cheap, seemed like a good idea but even my Pumpkins disappear into it. I worry i wont be able to see the shrimp at all. I came across 3M color quartz mentioned on a ciclid forum and they have a plum and grey sand which seems so pretty. But its not easy to get a hold of the stuff. What are you guys using? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquariumlover10 Posted December 17, 2014 Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 I use play sand, you could probaly find it in other colors but I would test on some cheap ghost shrimp before because ethe dye could affect the water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyeGuy411 Posted December 17, 2014 Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 I guess it would just depend on if the sand was actually quartz that is naturally that color. Or if it was colored hopefully it won't bleed. And then it would come down to personal taste. I prefer natural looking set ups but to each their own. I also looked at the colored sands used for sand art. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soothing Shrimp Posted December 17, 2014 Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 I exchanged pms with a guy who used powder coating for substrate once. No problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metageologist Posted December 17, 2014 Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 I use red turface in my tanks. I have also thought about using garnet sand. mosspearl 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EbiBunBun Posted December 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 I guess it would just depend on if the sand was actually quartz that is naturally that color. Or if it was colored hopefully it won't bleed. And then it would come down to personal taste. I prefer natural looking set ups but to each their own. I also looked at the colored sands used for sand art. All the other tanks are going to be natural I thought my one tiny 3.5g could be a little weird. The great thing about the ColorQuartz is that it is ceramic coated quartz sand, its used for traction in think so the coating is tough and won't come off. You have to get a contractor to order it by the 50lb bag. Substrate source sells some but only the greys and other natural colors. I exchanged pms with a guy who used powder coating for substrate once. No problems. That is creative! Is it like tiny beads or something? I use red turface in my tanks. I have also thought about using garnet sand.Oh if I could get my hands on some turface,I was trying to build a cactus bed last year and couldn't find anyone in town that used turface. I saw that garnet sand in the blasting section when I bought the black diamond, what does it look like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metageologist Posted December 17, 2014 Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 The garnet looks like red sand, but very ruff. You couldn't use it for places or any fish the could in jest the sand it would cut them up I would think. For the turface do you have a John deer commercial/landscaping store near you they should have it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soothing Shrimp Posted December 17, 2014 Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 not beads. Powder coating is...well..powder. heh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
countryboy12484 Posted December 17, 2014 Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 not beads. Powder coating is...well..powder. heh i would be too scared to use it lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soothing Shrimp Posted December 17, 2014 Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 I wonder if it is heavy powder and weighs down itself? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puddles Posted January 2, 2015 Report Share Posted January 2, 2015 We get lots of metal powder coated at work, it is a nice process but would scare me to put it in a shrimp tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mosspearl Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 I love the garnets. Found this on eBay. Not sand, but stunning. Also very spendy. It would be lovely with some snowball shrimp. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Garnets-Gravel-Garnet-Sand-Trays-Idaho-Garnet-Aquariums-Crafts-Plants-/400821271505?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d52cf3bd1 http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-POUND-IDAHO-PURPLE-GARNET-CRYSTAL-SAND-FINE-GRAVEL-AQUARIUM-/231134429147?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35d0af7fdb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metageologist Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 I love the garnets. Found this on eBay. Not sand, but stunning. Also very spendy. It would be lovely with some snowball shrimp. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Garnets-Gravel-Garnet-Sand-Trays-Idaho-Garnet-Aquariums-Crafts-Plants-/400821271505?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d52cf3bd1 http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-POUND-IDAHO-PURPLE-GARNET-CRYSTAL-SAND-FINE-GRAVEL-AQUARIUM-/231134429147?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35d0af7fdb If you can find a industrial supply company you may be able to get some garnet sand it's used in hydro blasting. mosspearl 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jadenlea Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 meteorologist those are beautiful!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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