Sand question

[jmccown]

Getting ready to start another tank, 150g. Regarding substrate, should I only use live sand or can I use a cheaper alternative like play sand for the bulk of the fill and maybe top it off with live sand or some crushed coral? I would like to have a 3" sand bed.

[WaterKeeper]

Buying that much LS for a 150 can cost big $$$. I'd use like 10-20% LS to seed a playsand bed. Stay away from the crushed coral and use sugar fine sands or smaller. I'd also suggest deepening that bed another inch.

[jmccown]

Is there any particular "play sand" that I should look for? Are there any I need to stay away from?

[NCreefwannabe]

look for southdown caribean play sand, yardright, and theres another name maybe. and at least go 4 inches for dsb.

[mg426]

Beat me to it. All of the above

[Devildogg9745]

I used quick-crete playsand and it worked great. Good grain size and I like the color.

[NCreefwannabe]

I checked out that stuff, its not aragonite at all though. I didnt like the color much either. I does look just like beach sand though.

[mg426]

I would say find something that is aragonite that has the look that you like ,is small in grain size and use that. Live sand is mighty pricey but a bag mixed with whatever you are using does help things along.