Alternatives to Pool Filter Sand...

I don't think you should have a problem. Just call a pool supply company. Every town over about 5,000 people, has them...

how about play sand? you can get it at just about any hardware store

I advise against play sand, as the varying grain sizes allow it to compact very easily, allowing for anaerobic pockets to form quickly.

i wouldnt suggest playsand either. i got my PFS at namco. $7 for 50lbs

I checked 2 pool specialty stores, however both were closed. I will look tomorrow. Do you think a Leslie's should have it?

I tried Lowe's but they had the Aquachem Plus brand, which I heard had some chemicals in it.


EDIT: This is ok, right? http://www.lesliespool.com/Home/Filters-and-Filter-Supplies/Filter-Supplies/14700.html

Any pool store will have it.

WallaceGrover said:

I checked 2 pool specialty stores, however both were closed. I will look tomorrow. Do you think they should have it?

I tried Lowe's but they had the Aquachem Plus brand, which I heard had some chemicals in it.

Click to expand...

I tried Leslie's by me. They have it, but unfortunately it's all on pallets outdoors...under lots of snow. They didn't care to shovel out one bag to sell to me. I'll have to try Namco next.

Silica sand used for sand blasting, that's what I used. You'll find it at the kind of hardware stores that contractors use. They'll have different grit sizes so have them show them to you and you can pick the size you want. I think it only comes in 50lb bags so you will end up with a bunch of extra but it's super cheap, I still have half a bag that I bought almost 10 years ago.

-Dave

Any sand will do. There's no worry for compacting and anaerobic pockets in a planted tank as the roots will tank care of it.

I use paver's sand from the hardware store. It really vary in grain size, even with little pebbles.

I ended up using the ecocomplete I already had, the PFS (w/out chemicals) was $30 bucks for 25 pounds!!

I can't spend that much knowing I could have used the eco, so now I'm trying to refigure what biotope I want to do...