what can i use?

[diovol]

So a while back i posted a thread about how i was making a concrete footing for a light post that i was having built out of stone. The footing is now done and it is 24"x24'x54"deep in the ground. My next big question is what can i fill the hole with around the footing? I have been told to use gravel, river rock (which i find hard to believe because of the constant voids of space between the rocks) and just plain old soil. My concern is just in the shifiting of the constant freezeing and defrosting of the ground since i live in ottawa,ontario, canada.

By the way by the time i was done the form took almost 40bags and weighed around 2700lbs and that is not including the water weight.......

 

[Stargeezer]

I'm guessing that since you have the footing at 54" deep, then it is below frost line. It should be well anchored and not move. Just fill it back in with soil. Add a little gravel to it if you are worried about poor drainage. Also guessing that the area around the cement piling would settle and move-but not your light. You can re-contour the dirt over a few seasons-right?
yes- Amazing how much mud it takes to do a project. DIY concrete is a labor of love.