Stores for DIY Materials

[Allen]

I have had trouble finding common materials used in DIY projects. It seems like many common things that other regions take for granted are not found in this region. This thread is for discussing mostly non Aquarium stores in the DMV region that carry some sort of substitute product for a lower price.

Here's the ones I found:

grainger industrial supply: Safe-T-Sorb (Calcined clay, used to be 5 dollars a bag but seems to be 13 dollars now)

Ace Hardware: Sugar sand sold as pool filter sand

Tractor Supply: Safe-T-Sorb, Livestock watering troughs, black diamond blasting sand

Home Depot/ Lowes: Gravels and pebbles of various sizes (need heavy rising), Lava Rock, rope handle tubs, Osmocote, paint bucket strainers (unwoven fine plastic mesh that might be an alternative to filter media bags), water softener crystals (same as aquarium salt)

Costco: 4ft LED shop lights (probably not available anymore), large planters (probably not fish safe)

Walmart: Plastic knitting mesh

Hobby Lobby: Plastic knitting mesh (two sizes), natural red clay (probably not in stock)


I have not tried:

SiteOne: Can possibly special order Turface

Merrifield: Lists turface on their site, also has other types of gravels, has rock yards with slate

Home Depot/Lowes: Can possibly special order a bag of 1/4 in grade lava rock, egg crate light diffuser (sold in large expensive portions), special order greenhouse plastic for DIY lids

Virginia groundcovers: might not allow you to buy small portions, has various sands, gravels, and soils

NOVA hydro: various soils, LECA type substrate, net pots, other hydroponics supplies


I have not found a good source for:

Large grained pool filter sand.

[Linus_Cello]

For the large grain sand, try Leslie’s Swimming Pool Supplies (Vienna)?

I’ve bought turface from the Wolf Trap Nursery.

[Allen]

For the large grain sand, try Leslie’s Swimming Pool Supplies (Vienna)?

I’ve bought turface from the Wolf Trap Nursery.

I got confused when looking at Leslie's website because they listed their sand as HTH brand (the large grained version) but used a picture of the Aquaquarts fairmount brand (sugar sand).