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by Sportszpro
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.
Table of Contents
Why Sand for Your Basketball Hoop?
Reason 1: Sand is Denser
Reason 2: Water Can Freeze
How Much Sand for Basketball Hoop Base Do You Need?
How To Fill Sand In Your Basketball Hoop?
Wrapping Up
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.
See Also: Portable Vs In-Ground Basketball Hoop Comparison
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.
Related Posts You May Read:
1. How To Move A Basketball Hoop Filled with Sand
2. How To Keep Portable Basketball Hoop From Falling Over
3. How To Repair A Broken Portable Basketball Hoop Base
4. How To Get Sand Out Of Basketball Hoop Base
Tips for Filling a Portable Basketball Hoop
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Your basketball hoop needs a solid foundation. Find out what you need to fill your hoop’s base.
Looking to bring the excitement of the basketball court to your home? Portable basketball hoops can be a great option for playing a pickup game with friends or a round of HORSE with your family.
But once you find the right portable hoop and get it home, don’t forget the most important step: filling the base. It’s crucial to properly fill the base to help increase the hoop’s stability during play, as well as in windy weather.
There are two common ways to fill a basketball hoop: with water and with sand. The owner’s manual you receive with your hoop will let you know how much to use of either. You can also use a base gel that mixes with water to become solid.
WATER
Adding water to the base is as simple as hooking a hose to the base hole. This is a cheaper and easier option than sand. If you plan on moving the hoop around a lot, water is a good choice since you can easily empty it from the base.
There are a few things you can do to help with stability and keep the base strong over time when using water:
Adding a small amount of bleach to the water can help avoid the growth of algae in the base.
If you live in an area with cold winters, the water in the base could freeze and expand. This can cause the base to crack. To avoid this, add a small amount of nontoxic antifreeze. You can also empty the base and store it indoors during colder months.
Water can evaporate and leave the hoop less stable, so checking the water level regularly is key.
Examine the base for any leaks over time. This can help to keep it upright for your next pickup game.
SAND
Sand is denser than water, and it weighs more per gallon, so it can help increase stability. But while it may make for a more stable hoop, sand can also make hoops difficult to move.
Another drawback to sand is that it can be hard to add — especially if wet — and even harder to get out of the base of your hoop.
Many hoop owners choose “play sand,” like the kind used to fill kids’ sandboxes, to fill the base since it can be smoother and more even. Using a funnel while filling the base can help decrease the chances of spilling sand.
BASE GEL
A third option for your hoop is a special gel designed to stabilize bases. Made of absorbent polymer, you will mix the gel with water. This mixture can become the equivalent weight of several bags of sand. Designed to be both mold-resistant and freeze-thaw durable, base gel can last several years. Once firm, it can also resist small holes or cracks that can cause leaks.
No matter what you use to fill your base, it’s always a good idea to have two adults move the portable hoop if needed. Also, it’s advised not to use weights, bags of cement or bricks to hold the hoop down.
Now that you know what to do to keep your portable hoop firmly on the ground, it’s time for tip-off. With a solid base for your hoop, you’ll be able to focus on hitting a long-range three or guarding against uncle Joe’s legendary jump shot during your next family pickup game.
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Basketball hall construction
The SportObject company offers its services in the construction of basketball halls based on prefabricated turnkey structures. Trusting the construction of our company, you get a whole range of turnkey services, including design, ground work, laying the base and coating, marking and other construction work. We strictly adhere to the agreed deadlines and provide our clients with a work schedule that indicates the start and completion dates for construction.
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Stages of construction on the example of a football stadium
The thickness of the foundation pit and the amount of materials that are needed for your foundation, we select depending on the size of the field. We select drainage and other systems based on the regional location (how much precipitation is in your region, what kind of drainage is needed). Additionally, we equip drainage wells, or divert them to the drainage system. Field slopes of several different types depending on site operating conditions.
Preparing the excavation, sand bed, drainage system
The quality of a football field is more than half dependent on the quality of the base! Our base is a monolithic solid single layer, which over the years does not form any fractures, the soil does not go anywhere and remains flat throughout the entire period of operation. Relatively speaking, even if a tractor passes over the base, there will be no tire marks, because everything is solid and dense!
Sequential compaction of base layers
We carry out all types of additional improvement works: we can install a fence for you, pave an asphalt path to something, level the territory, paint walls, borders, etc. We will perform all the required related work!
Installation of the curbstone
The laying of the artificial grass itself is as important as the preparation of the base. When laying the field, an important aspect is gluing the rolls and cutting the markings. Gluing must be done securely. The material in the work requires getting used to, because the two-component glue rolls down after a while and they need to work quickly.
Laying the grass on the prepared base, gluing it and cutting the markings
Be sure to remember: the gate is installed with a safety requirement so that it does not turn over. Therefore, this aspect is given special importance. In this regard, the gate is either concreted or attached to an accompanying fence.
Installation of the goal
The backfilling of a football field determines a large part of the playing characteristics. Backfilling is a responsible job, because the presence or absence of drops and bumps, which will eventually be felt during the game, depends on the uniform distribution of sand and crumb rubber on sports grounds. That is, there should be both an even base and a high-quality pile with an even distribution of backfill under it.
Raising grass, distributing sand and crumb rubber across the field
We cooperate with the largest manufacturers of stands, fences and other sports equipment in the Russian Federation. Therefore, if necessary, we can supply everything you need to the object at a wholesale price. We install all this equipment, advise in which cases which is better, etc. We can supply many things both in a finished version and make them ourselves on the spot.
Installation of additional equipment (treadmills, jumping pits, safety fences, grandstands)
You can also be sure that we will carry out all the necessary arrangements for their improvement on the site and the adjacent territory.
Landscaping
The thickness of the foundation pit and the amount of materials that are needed for your foundation, we select depending on the size of the field. We select drainage and other systems based on the regional location (how much precipitation is in your region, what kind of drainage is needed). Additionally, we equip drainage wells, or divert them to the drainage system. Field slopes of several different types depending on site operating conditions.
Preparing the excavation, sand bed, drainage system
The quality of a football field is more than half dependent on the quality of the base! Our base is a monolithic solid single layer, which over the years does not form any fractures, the soil does not go anywhere and remains flat throughout the entire period of operation. Relatively speaking, even if a tractor passes over the base, there will be no tire marks, because everything is solid and dense!
Sequential compaction of base layers
We carry out all types of additional improvement works: we can install a fence for you, pave an asphalt path to something, level the territory, paint walls, borders, etc. We will perform all the required related work!
Installation of the curbstone
The laying of the artificial grass itself is as important as the preparation of the base. When laying the field, an important aspect is gluing the rolls and cutting the markings. Gluing must be done securely. The material in the work requires getting used to, because the two-component glue rolls down after a while and they need to work quickly.
Laying the grass on the prepared base, gluing it and cutting the markings
Be sure to remember: the gate is installed with a safety requirement so that it does not turn over. Therefore, this aspect is given special importance. In this regard, the gate is either concreted or attached to an accompanying fence.
Installation of the goal
The backfilling of a football field determines a large part of the playing characteristics. Backfilling is a responsible job, because the presence or absence of drops and bumps, which will eventually be felt during the game, depends on the uniform distribution of sand and crumb rubber on sports grounds. That is, there should be both an even base and a high-quality pile with an even distribution of backfill under it.
Raising grass, distributing sand and crumb rubber across the field
We cooperate with the largest manufacturers of stands, fences and other sports equipment in the Russian Federation. Therefore, if necessary, we can supply everything you need to the object at a wholesale price. We install all this equipment, advise in which cases which is better, etc. We can supply many things both in a finished version and make them ourselves on the spot.
Installation of additional equipment (treadmills, jumping pits, safety fences, grandstands)
You can also be sure that we will carry out all the necessary arrangements for their improvement on the site and the adjacent territory.
Landscaping
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Company "SportObject" offers its services in the field of sports construction. We are engaged in the construction of basketball halls on a turnkey basis: we design, draw up design estimates, coordinate the construction, install the foundation and roof structures, lay the bases and coverings, perform finishing work, provide communications and deliver sports equipment. Each of the stages of work is implemented strictly according to the schedule agreed with the client, which allows us to deliver a fully finished project on time.
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Our company is ready to offer a wide range of structures for the construction of basketball halls: from a metal frame - LSTK and LMK, structures with wooden supports for covering with sandwich panels or air-supported, frameless, frame- awning and inflatable arenas.
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The dynamics of basketball matches means high speed, sudden movements and heavy stress on the joints. It is very important that the flooring of the basketball hall is both wear-resistant and injury-proof at the same time.
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VlSU basketball players, together with sculptor Ilya Shanin, installed three-meter snow sculptures of athletes near the university
On Monday, large-scale snow structures appeared in front of the first building of the VlSU, which, upon closer examination, turned out to be two figures of basketball players. The idea to make a snow gift came to the bright minds of the Vladimir Lions. This spring, students delighted basketball (and holiday) lovers with an Easter tree, in summer they diversified the image of the training base with 250-meter graffiti, and now they are continuing their creative initiatives on New Year's Eve. Maxim Tyukanov, head of the Basketball Federation and the Vladimir Lionesses club, says:
“Basketball is associated with summer, the street, but no one has ever had winter athletes in this direction. When such an idea came to us, we began to think about who would help to realize it, and we remembered our good friend Ilya Vladimirovich Shanin. We shared the idea, he supported, and, what is important, we also received financial assistance from the NDMT Foundation. Thanks to everyone who shares our crazy initiatives! By the way, Ilya said that he really likes the American basketball player Shaquille O'Neal; that there is a sculpture dedicated to basketball, and this sport is close to him.”
We got acquainted with the technical side of the issue already in the process. It turns out that it is much easier for sculptors to work with ice, and not everyone dares to sculpt a sculpture from loose material. The athletes prepared it for installation on their own: for two days at -27, they raked snow with shovels, loaded it into boxes made by themselves with dimensions of 3 × 1. 5 meters, tamped and filled the “base” with water.
“Three days the boxes stood near the university, and now, on Sunday morning, we took off the frame. Two cubic figures appeared before the eyes, and the magic began. The snow is loose and porous, so the craftsmen, no matter how venerable they may be, are afraid to work with this material. Ilya was not afraid, so now the townspeople can watch the sculptures of basketball players. For several days of work, we enjoyed his professionalism and human qualities. He is an incredible soul, kind, patient and frost-resistant! On Sunday there was a blizzard outside, but the sculptor continued to sculpt, all covered with snow, he could have been placed next to the works - you couldn’t tell.
"Vladimir Lions" helped the author, dragged buckets of water and cleared the area, and "Lionesses"... They are simply beautiful, Maxim Tyukanov laughs, so they carefully watched what was happening. Female and male figures before becoming snow sculptures were made of clay. The master recreated the images of the athletes, inspired by photographs of local basketball players:
“Clay sketches will appear in our team room. When he got to work with the snow, it was amazing! With an electric saw, Ilya cut off everything unnecessary: just a few strokes, and you understand that the human body has formed, then the legs. Later, finishing work began, during which the details were formed and cleaned.
Photo from the VlSU archive
The team associates snow basketball players with sculptures of the Soviet period - broken lines, the idea is exalted over artistic similarity. Only professionals can appreciate the work. Recall that Ilya Shanin is a sculptor recognized by the Russian and European communities, whose creations from various materials have decorated and continue to decorate the cities of many countries of the world.
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.
It should balance on the rims.
How To Move A Basketball Hoop Filled with Sand
The owner’s manual you receive with your hoop will let you know how much to use of either. You can also use a base gel that mixes with water to become solid.
Once firm, it can also resist small holes or cracks that can cause leaks.
You can also use the detailed calculator. 
Relatively speaking, even if a tractor passes over the base, there will be no tire marks, because everything is solid and dense! 
In this regard, the gate is either concreted or attached to an accompanying fence. 
Relatively speaking, even if a tractor passes over the base, there will be no tire marks, because everything is solid and dense! 
In this regard, the gate is either concreted or attached to an accompanying fence. 
We work individually with each client: we take into account your wishes, fit into the budget and comply with the agreed deadlines. 
It is very important that the flooring of the basketball hall is both wear-resistant and injury-proof at the same time. 
Maxim Tyukanov, head of the Basketball Federation and the Vladimir Lionesses club, says: 
5 meters, tamped and filled the “base” with water. 
The master recreated the images of the athletes, inspired by photographs of local basketball players: 
