Mystic white pool filter sand

[Steelman]

Anyone in New York, Jersey or Connecticut know of any pool supply stores selling this particular brand? Thanks

[discuspaul]

Steve, a 50 lb. bag of Mystic PFS is available for order on Amazon.com for approx. $45.including shipping, but if you can find any other brand, or generic white PFS @ a pool supply store anywhere in your general area ( which is inert, quartz-based, and # 20 or # 30 grade), it'll likely be 1/3 of that cost for a 50 lb. bag.

And I believe the quality of any generic or other brand of PFS obtained at a reputable pool supply store will be every bit as good for aquarium substrate use purposes as the Mystic brand.

[Steelman]

Hey Paul thanks for your reply. I do currently have PFS in my tank. It is more of a tan color. My problem is my tank has two overflow boxes inside which are black. Every time I try a different color I always go back to the black. The reason why I want the mystic white is to try and offset the affects of the black background by having a very light substrate. I believe it should be available in South Jersey. Anyone seen it down there.

[RogueDiscus]

I'll echo a bit what Paul said. I've gone to a masonry or construction supply and bought #20 silica sand. It's uniformly white.

[discuspaul]

Thanks for posting that Steve.
I wasn't sure that masonry or construction supply shops might carry #20 inert silica sand in a white color, which would not be dusty, and be from perfectly safe stone for use as aquarium substrate.

[RogueDiscus]

I used to buy it as the PFS for our old Doughboy pool filter. 50 lb bag. Are you suggesting it might be too dusty? I wasn't sure if that's what you were saying.

[discuspaul]

Not at all - I just assumed you found some at a construction supply place that was not very dusty - that it was more or less an evenly grained silica sand that didn't need a lot of heavy duty rinsing before use in a tank - and that, as you said, was actually inert pool filter sand.
I had never known of a construction supply place that carried actual white pool filter sand (only stuff used for grouting or whatever) and had not seen any that didn't have a lot of dust in it, or that it had other components mixed in that were not safe for use in an aquarium, or that were crushed from stone that could leach undesirable elements - but I've lived a bit of a sheltered life - maybe I didn't pick a good construction supplier. LOL
I did know though, that many hobbyists safely use black 'blasting' sand in their tanks.

[Steelman]

Guys the PFS I have in my tank is #20 US silica made by Lighthouse. The only knock is it's not white. I appreciate the help but I'm really only interested in the Mystic White brand. I asked if anyone knew of a pool supply store who carries it so I don't have to go on a wild goose chase. Somebody would tell me I bought it here, I would call to confirm they have it in stock and then go and pick it up.

[discuspaul]

Care to tell us why you're only interested in Mystic White brand, Steve ?
If it has other qualities beneficial to aquarium use (besides just being white), that other PF sands may not have, I for one would sure like to know about it.

[Steelman]

Simply aesthetics Paul. Supposedly this sand is really white instead of an off white.

[discuspaul]

Well Steve, I think mine is real white, not off-white -
Do you see it otherwise ?

Mine is a generic PFS and cost $13. cdn. for 50 lbs.
(under $10.usd)

http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h357/discuspaul/FTS-Osaka260/CopyofFTS-saka260007.jpg (http://s1105.photobucket.com/user/discuspaul/media/FTS-Osaka260/CopyofFTS-saka260007.jpg.html)

Imo, both Fairmount PFS and Aqua-quartz PFS are both stark white too.

[Ryan925]

Well Steve, I think mine is real white, not off-white -
Do you see it otherwise ?

Mine is a generic PFS and cost $13. cdn. for 50 lbs.
(under $10.usd)

http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h357/discuspaul/FTS-Osaka260/CopyofFTS-saka260007.jpg (http://s1105.photobucket.com/user/discuspaul/media/FTS-Osaka260/CopyofFTS-saka260007.jpg.html)

Imo, both Fairmount PFS and Aqua-quartz PFS are both stark white too.

Paul yours is very white but not all pfs is created equal. Some of the stuff I had laying around was very, very tan. Had a couple left over bags from jobs. Now we put glass in our sand filters rather than actual pfs

The kind I got was from ace hardware. Much more white. Comes in a clear bag so you can see actual color.

https://m.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11683357&KPID=10415214&cid=CAPLA:G:Shopping_-_Pool_Chems_&_Maint_Accs=&pla=pla_10415214&k_clickid=8b62ecef-40ea-4ab9-8573-304bd2fdb30a

[Davidzil]

very good info on pool sand!

[RogueDiscus]

Well Steve, I think mine is real white, not off-white -
Do you see it otherwise ?

Mine is a generic PFS and cost $13. cdn. for 50 lbs.
(under $10.usd)

http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h357/discuspaul/FTS-Osaka260/CopyofFTS-saka260007.jpg (http://s1105.photobucket.com/user/discuspaul/media/FTS-Osaka260/CopyofFTS-saka260007.jpg.html)

Imo, both Fairmount PFS and Aqua-quartz PFS are both stark white too.

Nice juvies, BTW, Paul. They look like mine! :)