Starting a New SW Tanks...Help!

belinda, just so you know/realize that there are trade offs for everything. Cheaper usually means (not always) less quality stuff. That said, then I would consider play sand or, in my case, I used sandblasting sand. I bought approx a 100# bag for about $12.00 at a local lumber store. I like the looks of the sandblasting sand better than play sand. I think it is more uniform in color and size and does not have anything else in it except for the sand. The sand I bought was grayish in color and very small, maybe too small. I bought the "60 grit". The other choice was "30 grit". The 60 was the smaller sized sand. Look at it and compare it to regular play sand. You will see what I mean, unless the play sand is the old Southdown (now known as kolorscape or something).

Sandblasting sand is not an aragonite based sand, but neither is play sand. After putting a 4 or 5 inch layer of this down, I then added a bag of Aragalive Sand on top of it. I added this to help with cycling.

I have not heard/read of anyone using gravel, but think I would stay away from it, but that is just my opinion.

I'm not sure if using sand is more of a headache than it is worth? Not to me, but again, only my opinion. YMMV.

Hope this helps a little and good luck, Frank

don't get play sand. you don't have to have anything on the bottom of the tank. just get the right stuff whenever you can.

Aragonite isn't too expensive if your going to the right LFS.The only way your gonna get the right stuff and save money substantually is too DIY almost all of your stuff.

Also, you can use dead(or base) rock with some live rock, and as long as you have some live rock, live sand isn't nessisary.

If you want, I can link you to many sites wit great DIY sections.