Exactly What Is And Where Do I Find Coarse Sand For Rooting Cuttings
Beach Sand verses Silica Sand in a side by side test.
This question comes up at least once a week in Our Private Members Area. The subject of what sand to use for rooting cuttings is confusing, so lets see if we can make it easier.
In just about everything that I write or videos that we shoot I talk about the coarse sand that I use for rooting cuttings. But this is a very confusing subject because Ive never actually seen sand sold under the product name coarse sand. Sometimes what you are looking for is called sharp sand, or concrete sand.
If you intend to use the Automated Plant Propagation System, and you should because it makes rooting cuttings insanely easy, sand is often the best rooting medium to use.
But it varies so much because sand is local to each region so it will be very different from area to area. Because it is so heavy, its not usually trucked very far, but instead mined and sold everywhere you can find a gravel pit.
Can I use beach sand to root cuttings?
In this post I am going to show you four different kinds of sand that I was able to find in our area. First up, beach sand! Notice that as I filled the nursery pot with beach sand, some of it leaked out through the drain holes in the pots. Dry sand will often do that, wet sand normally not.
Silica sand is the perfect coarse sand for rooting cuttings.
Next up, silica sand! You can see that the silica sand contains tiny pebbles that allow this sand to drain really well.
Level Sand For Intex Pool
How do you level the sand because our yard is not level?
Thanks
Sand should only be used as an even cushion over level dirt. The pool area should be completely leveled with dirt and possibly crushed granite if needed. Granite is good if an area needs raised because it packs very solid.
The best way I know of to level the ground is with a transit or laser level. They are available at rental shops. The shop personnel should be able to show you how to operate them. The other options for leveling the pool area are a 2 x 4 with a carpenters level or a water hose level.
Once the ground is level and packed you can bring in a couple inches of sand. This would provide a good base for an Intex pool. Keeping the layer of sand thin prevents the pool from shifting and also reduces the footprints you will make when you install it.
I recently installed my 16′ x 48″ ultra metal frame pool and have a concern. We had to build up a portion of our yard with mason sand about 8 inches to make it level. The pool was completely level as we started to fill it.
What I have noticed is that now that it is full with water, a couple of the legs have sunk a little into the sand causing a small area I assume from the weight. I used a tamper to make sure the sand was compacted prior to filling the pool.
2 questions:
1) Should I be concerned that the pool will sink more as we use it?
Hi Dave.
With the sand boxed in, and the posts on blocks, you might be OK.
Problems That Arise From Uneven Water Levels
It may be stating the obvious, but an uneven pool has an uneven water level. Besides not being pleasing to the eye, an uneven water level can cause multiple other problems.
For starters, the water may not be too noticeably off level at first, but then the waters weight will cause it to settle more. As a result, the water will become more uneven with time, making it more noticeable.
Water that is uneven will cause shallow and deep ends. Children that would normally be safe in the size of the pool you chose may find that the deep end of the pool is over their heads and no longer safe.
Also, pool skimmers that end up in the pools shallow end may not be covered halfway as required. This will lead to them not operating properly, and your pools water quality will deteriorate because of it.
Recommended Reading: 25000 Gallon Pool Heater
How To Level Ground For A Pool
This article was co-authored by Rob Litman. Rob Litman is a Landscaper, General Contractor, and the CEO of Vitoli Inc., a landscaping, hardscaping, ecoscaping, and swimming pool design company in Los Angeles, California. With over 20 years of experience in construction, Rob specializes in energy-efficient and drought-tolerant landscaping. He holds General Building Contractor and Registered Pool/Spa Contractor Licenses. In 2007, Rob won House of the Year in Gardena, California.There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 146,681 times.
An uneven surface can weaken or damage an above ground pool, so leveling the ground before installation is essential. Remove the sod, then check for levelness to identify slopes and high spots. Always dig out high patches instead of filling in lower areas. After youve leveled the ground, rake away debris, tamp the soil, then spread and tamp a layer of sand.
Now Lets Add Some Water

Testing the drainage of plant propagation sand.
Testing beach sand and silica sand for drainage.
We added water to both of these containers and in a matter of less than one minute the silica sand appeared to be completely free of excess water. In this photo the beach sand still has a little water standing on top. Not a good sign.
Testing play sand and all purpose sand for drainage.
In the same amount of time, we added water to all of the containers at the same time, the play sand was still very soggy and as you can see, some of it washed out the bottom of the container. In the right hand container you can see that the all purpose sand also has water standing on top of the container. That surprised me, with the visible pebbles in the all purpose sand I thought it would drain better, but theres something in there thats inhibiting drainage.
Testing different kinds of sands for drainage for plant propagation.
Also Check: Black Hose Trick
Little Tikes Fish N Splash Water Table
- Fun, durable water table with fishing game and counting play
- Catch, collect and count your fish before releasing them with a splash
- Fill the fishbowl until it tips over and splashes down in a wave
- Use the launcher to fling the critters onto the spinning lily pad in the center of the table
- Includes fishing pole, 5 floating critters, water cup and fishing net
What Sand Do You Put Under A Pool
sandsandsandshouldusepool
. Considering this, what is the best sand to put under a pool?
Many times, the best option is mason sand, sometimes referred to as mortar sand. Compared to other types, mason sand is less coarse, offering a softer surface for your pool liner to rest on. Mason sand tends to pack well, which can create a level surface for your pool installation.
Similarly, how much sand do you put under a pool? Type and VolumeAn average 18-foot round aboveground swimming pool requires about 3 tons or 2.5 cubic yards of sand to provide a 2-inch base. The cost for a cubic yard of masonry sand varies, but $48 is about average.
One may also ask, do I have to put sand under my pool?
Mostly it is to provide a smooth level base under the liner of an above ground pool. While it works, it is not the best option. The sand would act as a barrier that would take in any water or moisture as opposed to all of that liquid going into the soil underneath the pool, potentially not killing your grass.
What do you put under a pool?
Sand Pad. Sand spread out on your pool site is a traditional method of installing an above ground pool. Just like commercial pads, you can use the sand alone or place it on top of concrete. However, you should note that sand might make your pool to be unstable when on top of concrete.
Recommended Reading: Pool Stabilizer Not Dissolving
How To Level The Ground For Pool Without Digging: Easy Peasy
by Pool and Patio Editorial | Mar 18, 2020 | Renovation |
Trying to figure out how to level the ground for your swimming pool this summer? Yes, we know just how much work you have to put in to pull this off . But hey, do you know that you can get the job done without digging? Well, yes, you can! Just think it to be a much more comfortable and cost-effective way to level your pool for the ultimate summer fun.
Of course, basically, every one of us knows just how important it is to install or level an above ground pool properly and also maintaining it consistently despite the cost. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, a well-installed pool will turn out to be safe for you and your family. You might not know this, but an improperly installed pool can be incredibly dangerous to anyone using it . With this in mind, its only reasonable to get an idea of how to level the ground for your pool correctly .
Need a little help? Just keep reading!
In this post, were going to take you through the process of leveling your pool without digging and, of course, leave you to get to work. Sounds good? Lets get started!
1. First off, check the ground to see if Its out of level within two inches from the shallow side to the deep side. How can you do this? Just start off by screwing two 2-by-4 boards together while ensuring that theyre 1 or 2 feet longer than the overall diameter of your swimming pool. You can always outsource this wok if it seems confusing.
Placing Sand On Unlevel Ground
The sand is meant to be a protective layer for your pool, not a leveling layer. It should be placed on ground that has already been leveled otherwise, you will see many leveling problems down the road as the sand settles.
Also, there will not be an even amount of sand protecting the pool floor from the rocks and debris below. Some spots could have less than an inch, while others have more than two.
Don’t Miss: Is The Aria Pool Open
How To Level A Pool
This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow’s Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards.There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 45,146 times.Learn more…
Before trying to set up your pool, level the ground first so that the pool doesnt spill water. For a more secure and professional-looking installation, use paver plates to lift the pool on uneven soil. You may also level the ground by spinning a wooden beam, which is more labor-intensive but can be done anywhere with household tools. Although you can always call a professional for help, leveling is a DIY task that you can easily tackle on your own.
What To Use For Leveling An Above Ground Pool
Over the years Ive seen my share of horribly built above ground swimming pools. Many of them were severely misshaped, all their uprights leaned to the side and the resin connectors were cracked and did not hide the screws. The biggest way to mess up an above ground pool installation, though, is for it not to be level.
The most off level an above ground can get is around three to four inches off. This means when the pool is filled, on the one side the pool structure is three or four inches higher above the waterline than on the other side. Chief Obvious nature fact: Water is always level with the earth. Since water can only be level, an off level swimming pool will look really bad when you fill it.
I dont usually see above ground pools that are off more than four inches, because they will almost always cave in when the level is off by more than that. Most above ground installation manuals will say that a pool should be level within an inch, but I try to get it level to an eighth of an inch or so. Above grounds with liners that have patterns or tile lines will start to look off level at about the half inch mark as the naked eye can compare the level pool waterline against the pattern of the liner.
You May Like: Manual Swimming Pool Vacuum
Which Type Of Sand Is Best
When it comes to choosing the right type of sand for your pools base, youll likely realize that you have many options to choose from. Although everyone has their own opinion about which material is best, its most common to employ either mason sand or white sand for the project.
Its true that concrete sand is an excellent choice for creating a level surface beneath an above-ground pool, but the particle size of the sand may be bigger, resulting in the chance for voids.
If youre still unsure of which sand you want to use for your swimming pool project we recommend speaking with a local expert, such as Braen Supply.
Sharks For Kids: A Junior Scientists Guide To Great Whites

- Improves the look of house plants by covering soil.
- Suitable for decorative use in clear vases, dish gardens and terrariums.
- Improves water drainage.
- Loosen heavy or compacted soil.
- Convenient size is easy to carry and work with.
- Desert sand soil cover
- Helps protect and retain moisture
- Adds a great look to all potted plants terrariums and indoor gardens
- Especially attractive with succulents and in rock gardens
- This product contents 5 pounds
- Desert sand soil cover
- Helps protect and retain moisture
- Adds a great look to all potted plants terrariums and indoor gardens
- Especially attractive with succulents and in rock gardens
- This product contents 5 pounds
How To Choose The Best Sand To Level Pool
- First, our algorithms collected as much information available about these products from trusted sources.
- We employed both Artificial Intelligence and large data volume to validate all collected information.
- Then our AI ranked them on their quality-to-price ratio using industry-standard criteria that let us pick the best Sand To Level Pool currently on the market!
Read Also: Remove Scale From Pool Tile
Can You Use Sand To Level An Above Ground Pool
groundlevelsandfrom the poolgroundsandlevelpoolyouusing sand to levelyou will
. Besides, can you use sand to level a pool?
Lay out a layer of sand 1 to 2 inches deep across the work area, then roll over it with the tamper. If there are any areas that you need to level, use crushed limestone instead of sand.
can I use a tarp under my pool? It’s OK to use a tarp under the sand but not in place of it. A tarp will allow all the lumps and bumps of a dirt base to show through into the base of your pool. With just a tarp you still have to have a cove for the pool to be safe. The cove can be dirt, sand or foam, but it has to be there.
Keeping this in consideration, should I put sand under my Intex pool?
I use a little sand under Intex pools, to cushion the bottom, but not for leveling. You can then just use a ground cloth over the dirt or you could cover the area with an inch or so of sand. A twenty four foot pool would probably use about 3 tons of sand.
How do you level an uneven yard?
Method 1: Leveling out a Mildly Uneven Lawn by Topdressing
What Youll Need To Level The Ground
Leveling a particular area of your yard in order to install a pool isnt particularly tricky, but its a job made far easier with the right tools to hand.
Heres what youll need:
- Sod cutter or rototiller. Clearing the grass is one of the most back-breaking steps, and if you can use the right machinery to get the job done faster, my advice is to do it.
- Extended length of board and a level. As you lay the board flat on the planned pool site, itll become immediately apparent which particular areas need to be flattened out.
- Pick and a wide shovel. Removing any rocks from the site is critical to ensure no damage is done to your pool liner, and wide shovel will help you to dig out the bumps.
- Wide rake and a lawn roller. To smooth and level the sand on the site, you want a rake thats as wide as possible, then a lawn roller to compress the sand down flat.
Oh, and dont forget the desire to do a few hours of work preparing the site.
Also Check: Head Lice Swimming Pool