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  • Results 1 to 15 of 15

    Thread: S/G filtration media

    1. #1
      thebabydoc's Avatar
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      S/G filtration media

      So I have been searching for sand, oyster shell, chicken grit.....

      Since I don't live in the Midwest, chicken grit is difficult (not impossible) to find in large (50 - 100# bags) anywhere nearby.
      Due to health concerns, HD can no longer sell silica-based sandblasting media.

      I came across a new sandblasting media made from coal slag:
      http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pro...s?cm_vc=-10005

      Anyone have any experience with this?

      Otherwise I'm heading to buy some 1/16 - 1/32" poultry grit in 50# bags for $13/bag.
      I was thinking of adding ~ 10-20 pounds of oyster shell to each 50# of grit for the pH-balancing qualities.

      Thanks in advance,

      -R

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    2. #2
      DangerDave is offline Senior Member
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      I can't imagine it being very clean.

    3. #3
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      Don't use Oyster shell.

    4. #4
      catfish whiskers's Avatar
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      Before You buy those little bags , check at a big roofing supply for #10 roofing granite .


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      Notice the bag says Poultry grit on it , yet it's not sold around Me either

    5. #5
      catfish whiskers's Avatar
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      If You want to add something to act as a buffer , Oolitic Aroganite is the best , put it in mesh bags ,and place on the top of the granite. Dr Foster and Smith free shipping
      http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...tid=7322&r=816
      One bag will last forever
      And while Your at it , get the 6"x10" Fine mesh bags with draw string closure to put it in.
      http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=14166
      2 bags in each S&G filter work great.
      The Arogonite is effective until it dissolves, which takes years.

    6. #6
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      Hey birdman, why do you not recommend using oyster she'll grit?

    7. #7
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      Granite grit is inert, oyster shell grit is not inert plus it is lighter than granite.

    8. #8
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      This is at my local TS store ,would this work ?
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    9. #9
      ricshaw is offline Senior Member
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      Quote Originally Posted by Randall View Post
      This is at my local TS store ,would this work ?
      Yes, if it looks like the grit in post #4.

    10. #10
      catfish whiskers's Avatar
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      Quote Originally Posted by Euryth View Post
      Hey birdman, why do you not recommend using oyster she'll grit?
      I'll be Birdman Jr, oyster shell fluidizes too easy (floats) when blowing the filter clean , also when the filter gets dirty ,or with maximum GPH flow .
      Granite grit is heavier and stays packed tight enough to be a good fines filter.
      If the media fluidized when filtering , it wouldn't be a good mechanical filter.

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    11. #11
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      Quote Originally Posted by ricshaw View Post
      Yes, if it looks like the grit in post #4.
      I'll buy a small bag and check it out , Thanks

    12. #12
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      Quote Originally Posted by birdman View Post
      Don't use Oyster shell.
      Why not oyster shell? I used it and it seems to be working great. It's only been 3-4 weeks but working good so far. I lost very little during cleaning cycle. It was a pain to rinse before use though.


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    13. #13
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      Quote Originally Posted by Euryth View Post
      Hey birdman, why do you not recommend using oyster she'll grit?
      At 1st a lot will float and go out. Then after time it clumps and does not fluidize well when flushing. It's just not very consistent like sand.
      Last edited by birdman; 06-06-2016 at 09:04 PM.

    14. #14
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      I too had some trouble finding chicken grit or roofing grit. I went to my local landscape mason supply and picked up a product they referred to rice grit, i think they called it. Its basically the leftover large grit pieces they filter out when sifting fine sand. I figured i'd try it and it works very well. Pond is crystal clear. Big plus is they practically give it away as no one has use for it.
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    15. #15
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      Quote Originally Posted by Randall View Post
      This is at my local TS store ,would this work ?
      I used the Manna Pro oyster shell on initial set-up. Note that I have personally seen several types of oyster shell for sale. Some is much lighter than others. In fact I saw some that was blackish and inconsistant, pulverized pieces. The MP is very consistant on the oyster shell and I have had good results using it. It does dissolve over time and can be replenished. Two years ago I wanted to test the Manna Pro granite and added some to each of my three S/G's. The MP granite is very inconsistant in size and it was really bad to where I questioned if it was even the same product- it was. So I ended up mixing several bags to get uniform consistency.

      Overall I am happy with both MP products and find them quite suitable for use in S/G's. (Three S/G's, five years of use.)

      Edit: Around my parts we get all the oyster shell we want- mainly in the form of crushed oyster for poultry. But granite? I ask for it and people look at me like I'm from Mars. Not much granite around FL.
      Last edited by Appliance Guy; 06-07-2016 at 01:05 AM.
      Tim can always be reached at 850-380-7824 or timnye850@gmail.com

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