If you just bought a portable basketball hoop, you probably know that you will need to fill it up with sand to make it stationary. But how much sand do you need to use?
Well, this guide will tell you all about how much sand for basketball hoop base you need. Here is the good news, figuring it out is pretty easy and we will give you a short and easy-to-follow step-by-step guide on how to fill your hoop. So, let's get started.
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Why Sand for Your Basketball Hoop?
You actually don't have to choose only sand for your basketball hoop. There are other things you can use to weigh it down like water. However, sand is the better option. Here is why.
Reason 1: Sand is Denser
Compared to water, sand is about 45% denser. That means with sand, your brand-new portable basketball hoop will be much more stable. With a portable basketball hoop, stability is one of your main concerns. So, using sand instead of water is the better choice.
Reason 2: Water Can Freeze
Another very important reason why you might want to go with sand instead of water is that water can freeze up. This can especially be a problem if you happen to live in a very cold climate.
If the water is frozen, the hoop will become much heavier and it may be damaged. With sand for a basketball hoop, you won’t have any freezing problems, whatsoever. Also, the opposite is true. In very hot climates, water may evaporate. That’s another thing you don’t need to worry about with sand.
How Much Sand for Basketball Hoop Base Do You Need?
Alright, let’s get into it then. The thing you need to know is most portable basketball hoops in the market will have a 35-gallon water capacity. This can be different for other models, but 35-gallons based hoop is pretty standard.
To substitute 35-gallons of water, 500 LBS of sand would do just fine. Just go to any home store and buy 10 bags 50-pound sandbags. This should be enough to get the job done.
Sand is more expensive than water. But given there are so many benefits of using sand, it really is worth it.
How To Fill Sand In Your Basketball Hoop?
Filling your basketball hoop with sand is pretty easy, actually. There are just a couple of steps you need to take.
Step 1 : Make sure to read the owners’ manual. There will be instructions and also things you need to know about your particular hoop.
Step 2 : Lay the hoop on the ground with the base plug facing upwards. It should balance on the rims.
Step 3 : Have someone hold the pole so it doesn't tip over when filling and then open the base cap.
Step 4 : Use a funnel to pour in the sand nicely so you don’t create a mess. Once filled, just the cap back on.
Step 5 : Lastly, turn the hoop back to the upright position, and voila! You are done. Having a couple of extra hands will be useful since a hoop filled with sand can get heavy. See? That wasn’t so hard, was it?
Wrapping Up
Alright then, now that you know how much sand for basketball hoop base you need, you can start pouring sand into your brand-new portable basketball hoop right away and start enjoying some fun games.
Remember to have someone that can help you with the process. 500 LBS of sand should do the trick. If there are any special instructions for your hoops, they should be mentioned in the instruction manual.
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