a good substatute

zachhay11

i curently have a 20 gallon salt water aqaurium and i'm getting a 5o gallon. i'm using a good crushed coral skeliton substrate but it won't be enough for a 50 gallon obviously, so i'm gonna need something else however the crushed coral substrate is kinda expensive so i thought i could mix it with regular sand or just use gravle. i am also having another problem about my tank that i need help on in another section so if you can help with that please give me your opinion
-Thank You.

Cody

FOWLR or reef?

Aragonite sand is the ideal, but can be somewhat costly. "Regular" sand will also turn live over time. I have also seen people use play sand in their reefs, and if you are looking to save money it would be best ($4 for 50lbs).

Kellsindell

Don't use crushed coral, it traps the bad stuff in. Cody's dead on though.

SKAustin

Be careful with this, Play sand can be high in Silicates

Pasfur

Ditto Austin's comments.