WTB: 50 lbs of 3M colorquartz (T-Grade) Black

I tried getting some also. However, your best source is to look at 3M ColorQuartz distributor where you live in and ask them if they'll sell you just one 50-lb bag. The distributor in Illinois would only sell in 3 bag quantities. Each bag was $18.50 if I remember right. In the following link just pick "Distributor" in the "I need a" box, select your state and search. Don't worry about the other boxes.

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/ColorQuartz/HomePage/Products/Buy/

Good Luck.

regards,
Ravi

Aaron,

That's good to hear. This may work out great if we can find a couple of people who have a need for this. I'm willing get them and ship it to folks who need them. Not sure what it will cost to ship a 50-lb bag. I need a bag also, but 3 would be a stretch if I have to keep the other two bags.

regards,
Ravi

I don't mind shipping it. Let me find out how much it costs to ship it and let you know.

I haven't shipped anything like this before. Any idea how much it would cost to ship a 50-lb bag.

Just looked at USPS and UPS sites. It costs over $40 to ship a 50-lb bag in USPS and a lot more in UPS. It might be worth it for you to drive to one of the distributors in your area and get it yourself.

Have you looked at alternative solutions like Flourite or Eco-complete? Aaron had suggested to me that I could use Flourite if I had it.

regards,
Ravi

I remember seeing about 4 dealers in your area (2 in the Sacramento area). If it's not urgent, check with all 4 of them and get it during a fun weekend drive.

Good Luck.

Ravi

Was not aware there was an option like that. Just went to USPS website and looked for it and here's what I found:
https://shop.usps.com/webapp/wcs/st...01&categoryId=13354&langId=-1&catalogId=10152

The size of the box is: 12" x 12" x 5-1/2" and the shipping for it is $12.95.

I just ordered a set of boxes. Let me see how much would fit into the box and I will post the details.

Will respond once I find out the details.

Thank you for the note, Farmboy.

Ravi

Hi NeonFlux,

3M ColorQuartz is an inert substrate that can be used as a substrate topping when using soil as the bottom substrate. This is discussed in Aaron's article on "Mineralized Soil Substrate". The size of the recommended substrate (Grade T) is appropriate for a planted tank and the color (black) is very good for the planted tank also as it enhances the color of the plants.

Hope this helps.

Ravi

I agree with your suggestions, Aaron. One of the difficulties is that there aren't a lot of dealers for 3M ColorQuartz. That's why, I want to get an idea on how much can be fit in a large flat-rate box to give the folks an idea. I will fill it with regular 5mm gravel and take a weight. This should give everyone an approximate idea on what it would cost them to ship it.

I should be able to check it over the weekend and post my observation. My guess is that it will probably fit about 25 lbs.

Also, for me it doesn't make sense to purchase 3 bags if I only need one. If it works out, that'd be great, else, folks will have to band together for a fun drive.

regards,
Ravi

Folks,

I got the large flat-rate box from the post office and tried filling it with the 2 - 3 mm gravel that I have and it amounts to about 26 lbs. I'm expecting the same amount for the ColorQuartz Grade-T gravel also. Hope Aaron can provide his input if he can give his opinion as he's seen the ColorQuartz gravel.

Let me know if this interests you. Frankly, my opinion is that it a bit too expensive than driving and getting yourself. However, if I see considerable interest, I can get it and ship it.

Remember, the rates I remember from the distributor is $18.50 + tax for a 50-lb bag. They will only sell it in 3 bag sets. And shipping for about 25 lbs would be $12.95 (12” x 12” x 5-1/2” - box size)

Thank you.

regards,
Ravi

Hi Ebichua,

I'll sell it at cost to our fellow mates here. Like I said before, If I remember correctly, that the distributor quoted the price at $18.50 + taxes for a 50-lb bag. The cost will be exactly what I can fit in the box + shipping ($12.95).

I had other folks send me a PM also. I will order it on Monday and send an update on when I can pick it up.

Please let me know if you have any additional questions.

Hope this helps.

regards,
Ravi

Thank you very much for your feedback, Aaron.

Ebichua: You might be better off driving to Livermore and getting the bags yourself. Let me know if the dealer/LFS there has a minimum limit. I have a 3-bag minimum here. If that doesn't work out, I can ship it to you.

Anyway, I ordered the 3 bags of 3M ColorQuartz Grade-T Black and will be picking it up this afternoon. The cost was $54 + tax for the 3 bags at $18 per bag. Looks like they're planning on raising the prices by a dollar or two.

Once I get it I will pack it in the large flat-rate box and get the weight. I will post the cost and the interested folks can contact me if it works for them.

Thanks to everyone for your comment and interest.

regards,
Ravi

Folks,

Just picked up the 3 bags of 3M ColorQuartz Black Grade-T gravel. I will pack it and weigh it tonight and post it here for anyone interested.

The 3 bags cost me $59.40 with taxes which comes to $19.80 per bag. I will post the cost per large flat-rate box once I weight it.

Thank you.

regards,
Ravi

Thank you, Epicfish. I couldn't believe that I could fit 40+ pounds of gravel in the box.

regards,
Ravi