First time using pool filter sand as a substrate and the sand is completely gray colored after rinsing it? I expected the sand to be a tan color but it's a gray concrete color. I used Quikrete pool filter sand, is there a brand that doesn't look like that?
Using pool filter sand for the first time and it's gray?
- Thread starter meggo
- Start date
I went to leslies pools a local possibly regional store chain. They have multiple grades of sand and from what I have seen they have tan, to black and brown mix as far as colors. I have a stingray with the sand and everything has been fine.
the first pfs brand I bought from Ace hardware is HTH brand, #20 & is a very nice natural light tan, but the grains are coarse for my geos try to filter through their gills. They have definitely adapted their feeding method & I don't like seeing that.
SO (while out of town) we went to Leslies pool supply & got some. Their bags are labeled Gillibrand #20. the grains are smoother consistent rounded & will be better for geos, but it looks real gray. went to Leslies stores in 2 different towns & there was no variety at either. They told me that sand is ordered out to them by headquarters & they get whatever is sent. The employee sounded like he did not want to bother with an aquarium "color picker" :-I
I don't want to "bring out" the gray in my geos, it's their dullest part.
don't know why some of their stores would have a variety of colors, & others don't. maybe just a hodgepodge of inventory from different shipments?
If you care about color, try a small layer first.
I'll try the new sand in a small tank first. it's a PITA to switch sand out from large tanks, especially my 180G, it's on a high stand & I can baaaarely touch the bottom inside while standing on a stepladder. much easier to dump it in than scoop out.
plus hauling sand is backbreaking to begin with.
SO (while out of town) we went to Leslies pool supply & got some. Their bags are labeled Gillibrand #20. the grains are smoother consistent rounded & will be better for geos, but it looks real gray. went to Leslies stores in 2 different towns & there was no variety at either. They told me that sand is ordered out to them by headquarters & they get whatever is sent. The employee sounded like he did not want to bother with an aquarium "color picker" :-I
I don't want to "bring out" the gray in my geos, it's their dullest part.
don't know why some of their stores would have a variety of colors, & others don't. maybe just a hodgepodge of inventory from different shipments?
If you care about color, try a small layer first.
I'll try the new sand in a small tank first. it's a PITA to switch sand out from large tanks, especially my 180G, it's on a high stand & I can baaaarely touch the bottom inside while standing on a stepladder. much easier to dump it in than scoop out.
plus hauling sand is backbreaking to begin with.
^ One of the easiest methods I've found for taking out old sand is to use a clean broom and dustpan to sweep it all up during a water change. If there's some small amount of sand left over you can use a gravel vacuum to siphon out the rest.