sand versus shot in speaker stands


recently purchased monitors and stand for bedroom and do not know if i should fill stand or not. if the stands should be filled what material should be used. i always read about stands being sand or shot ready, but i must admit i do not know what is meant by shot and where one goes to by shot.

thanks in advance for the help
bianchi27
Thanks for the oven idea. I left a few bags of sand out in the sun to dry out and it appears they're now infested with large spiders.
Spiders are not as good as sand, and certainly not as good as lead, when placed in stands or racks. However, spiders may offer some damping benefit when placed directly under equipment feet or under cones. The large spiders work best under amps or other heavy equipment. You can also use them as a "spider clamp" with top-loading CD players.
Remember, lead is hazardous. Do not, under any circumstances, eat, lick or kiss speaker stands that have been filled with lead. Regardless of how sexy the speakers on them are sounding this is hazardous to your health.

Better than lead, the suggestion above of using uranium "resonated" with me. Depleted uranium is a by-product of the military complexes activities, but the caliber munitions they use are too large for filling stands.

Does anyone have a source for depleted uranium #9 bird shot?
A bit off topic- Nordost packaging usually states "LEAD FREE - Save our environment" on a green sticker featuring a pine tree. Didn't expect the brand to be an environmental activist.