Many of the live sand offered for sale is composed of the same aragonite with a myriad of bacteria and trace elements/buffers.
To save money, you could purchase dry aragonite and seed it with some sand from a mature seasoned tank, whether from a pet shop or friends tank.
Live sand to me is one of the best sources of biological filtration that you could have and the benefits far outweigh the cons in terms of using sand for the benthic area of your tank! _________ 125gal.w/Mag9.5 return(dual megaflow)>Mag7 pump Aqua Cev180skimmer.Wave2k Hamilton Reefstar(2)250watthqi(mh)pend.a Yellow, Naso Tang Red Lip Blenny Percula Clown Demoiselles Niger Trigger F. Wrasses Ceriantharia Orn.Shrimp and Stars Hermits Queen Conch asst. snails> Stars Zoos shrooms Montipora Brains Gorgonians Favia Turbinaria(large+small polyp) Acropora Xenia Tridacna (CroceaMaximaSquamosa) Leathers <35+75gal.reef tank as well> 
"IF THE PHONE DOESN'T RING...IT'S ME"  jb  |