pool filter sand question....

[rainbowcharmer]

The "plus" stuff is definitely not the right thing. When we were setting up our tank last fall, that was all we could find at the hardware stores. You'll need to go to a pool/spa specialty store during the "off" season to find the regular pool filter sand.

Good luck. It's definitely worth it.

 

[CWO4GUNNER]

When referring to pool filter sand, are most people referring to Diatomaceous-Earth or DE? Just wondering becasue I know its different then regular sand and more pricey I think. Very porous and used in filtration systems for snagging trapping Diatoms in pool water.

Iv often considered it for a filter media only.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002XMTXX8...e=asn&creative=380341&creativeASIN=B002XMTXX8

 

[Star_Rider]

I believe it it a sand made for pool filters and not DE.

FYI stuff


http://swimming.about.com/od/poolandspamaintenance/a/choose_filter.htm

 

[rainbowcharmer]

Not DE. I use that outside for bug killing (less toxic than most pesticides). DE is a very fine powder. Pool filter sand is actually sand.

 

[RDTigger]

Stick with PFS, safer that way... It's uniform in crystal size and granules are heavy enough to stay out of the water column and your filtration....and on the bottom of the tank...

 

[CWO4GUNNER]

Get the Quikrete construction grade sand its certified pure and uniform size in course, medium, fine and super fine. At $8 for 100 pound bag you'll only need one bag for most about 3 tanks and can afford to waste a little during water change vacuum.

 

[fishorama]

Pool sand should be quartz or silica, nothing else. It's graded by size..Small is better IMO.

 

[Chrisk-K]

Every pool sand bag that I've seen is #20 grit. Is there a bigger grain size available?

 

[fishorama]

I think 20 grit is big lol

 

[rainbowcharmer]

I think that is what I've got, and I really like the size on it. I like that it's not as fine as the play sand, because it looks nicer and it doesn't seem to get "gunky" like the playsand I had did. The playsand seemed to get those anaerobic pockets really quickly, and I've not noticed any in this sand. Probably helps that I've got the MTS, but I'm betting even without them it wouldn't get so manyof them as the fine sand did.