Black Diamond in SO-CAL

[jersysman]

I've seen a lot of complaints on the forums about Black Beauty. No, it's not the same thing. Tghey both may be coal slag, but there are differences among brands. If there weren't, then everything could be sold by one company. Whatever the difference, Black Diamond has had much better reviews for a substrate in aquariums then Black Beauty. I don't have the links, but when I was looking for a new substrate, I certainly came across them.

[somewhatshocked]

I recently purchased Black Diamond at a couple Tractor Supply locations in California. You may want to check with the stores nearest you.

[reddhawkk]

I will be setting up a dirt tank soon and the Black Diamond looks like it could be something I want to investigate as I like dark substrates. Has anyone used it just by itself for a (horrors) fish only tank?

[aaronbrown]

i use only black diamond and root tabs in my fw tanks but my neighbor uses it in his sw tank with no issues ive even had a horsehead loach that loved to bury in the stuff with no ill efects

[Lurch98]

Originally Posted by Hoppy

I just set up a tank with Black Diamond blasting grit, 20-40 size. I was amazed at how much better it is than the coal slag grit I used several years ago. This stuff isn't at all sharp, is much smaller particles than I had before, and is easy to use. I didn't even wash it. I'm completely sold on it now. It can't harm cories because it isn't sharp edged particles anyway. Now I wonder what brand the stuff I had before was.

The bag of Black Diamond I got from my TSC is somewhat sharp, and abraded my hands when i vigorously rubbed it between them. It has some longer pieces in it too. It's a nationally marketed product, but I highly suspect regionally produced as logistics costs to ship it across country would be terrible for a large chain. Depending on what producer they use to produce the product for your local stores, which I suspect could change, you may have gone from the sharp angular product, to a more rounded one. I'm going to guess it's all in how they crush it and if they do any type of tumbling and/or screening prior to bagging.

All supposition on my part.

Moral of the story, don't rub Cories in between your hands vigorously while holding substrate.

[green_valley]

Originally Posted by O2surplus

Found the Black Beauty. McMaster Carr sells it in 50lbs sacks for $17. Their located in Santa Fe springs. Here's a link for driving directions- Hope it helps http://www.mcmaster.com/#contact/=ge5jjh

Thank you soooo much for the info. I appreciate it.

Originally Posted by m00se

Black Beauty is not Black Diamond. There are folks here who have not reported good things about BB. In fact, I'm wondering if that's what Hoppy used back when he had his go-around with the "bad stuff". Just a heads-up. Here are the contact numbers for http://www.ati-blackdiamond.com/

499 Settlers Ridge Parkway, Woodbury, MN 55129

Phone: 651-436-6071 | Toll Free:1-800-343-0117 | Fax: 651-436-6744

Why not call them and ask where you can find it close by you?

That would be a great idea as well. Thank you.

Originally Posted by somewhatshocked

I recently purchased Black Diamond at a couple Tractor Supply locations in California. You may want to check with the stores nearest you.

There are a lot of them in CENTRAL California. That's where the farming areas are. The closest one to where I live (Southern), is about 3 hours away.

[Secretninja]

Mine was filthy, and required a good wash. Other than that great stuff, especially considering 50# for 8$.

[green_valley]

Originally Posted by Secretninja

Mine was filthy, and required a good wash. Other than that great stuff, especially considering 50# for 8$.

How did you know it's filthy? Yup, the price is the reason why I am going for my 140G rescape project.

[TroyVSC]

Old Thread but found a Retailer for Spectraquartz that sell 50# bags for $19.00. http://www.questbuilding.com/

Considering its $16 at McMasterCarr or $20 for 75 there is not much price difference between the two. All the local places in SoCal that do sand blasting use copper slag and not coal slag.

I am using the black F-grade and really like it so far.

[ruht roh]

Originally Posted by TroyVSC

Old Thread but found a Retailer for Spectraquartz that sell 50# bags for $19.00. http://www.questbuilding.com/

Considering its $16 at McMasterCarr or $20 for 75 there is not much price difference between the two. All the local places in SoCal that do sand blasting use copper slag and not coal slag.

I am using the black F-grade and really like it so far.

How is it working out for you? I have tried all the places for any coal slag along with a bunch of others that have not panned out. So I'm gonna go ahead with this stuff unless anyone has had recent luck and can refer me to a place. Thanks!

[TroyVSC]

I really like it. It is really fine but it does not stay in the water column at all as it is very dense and heavy. I would highly recommend it. Very consistent round granular vs the the more rough coal slag.

[ruht roh]

Sweet, thanks! Gonna pick some up tomorrow.

[ruht roh]

Did you have problems with bubbles? I like the stuff so far, as u said it sinks very well and is very uniform, and even had the benefit of not having to rinse it, it was very clean as I attempted to wash the first batch. But when I filled the tank the entire ground was covered with bubbles. I ran a large fish net over it for about 20 minutes until i got tired and maybe got rid of 80% of them, but there are still fine ones left. They don't seem to be rising on their own either. Did you run into this?

[AirstoND]

Quick..get some plants in that tank substrate!

Bubbles come from air in pellets going into water solution from being in submerged pressure.

[Clemsons2k]

The bubbles will go away on their own over time. My Petco sand did the same thing for a few days after adding it.