Need a good substrate for a new tank?

[UkrainianReefJunky]

I found a promising one called Arag-Alive West Caribbean Reef.
Anyone have suggestions? Should I go with live or dead? Any and all help and opinions are appreciated.

[wannareef]

i say go with the live stuff settles way faster than the dead and has the good stuff already in it

[UkrainianReefJunky]

Yes, I heard the bacteria in the live sand helps cycle your tank faster and keeps the ammonia level down. Anyone else??? I guess this isn't an interesting topic, but I have to start somewhere.

[dobejazz]

I used bagged live sand in my tank and was happy with it

[whatevva]

I used both. 40# of arragonite on the bottom, and then 60# of LS on top.

[Loverotties]

Originally Posted by UkrainianReefJunky

I found a promising one called Arag-Alive West Caribbean Reef.
Anyone have suggestions? Should I go with live or dead? Any and all help and opinions are appreciated.

That's what I used!and it was and is great!

[UkrainianReefJunky]

Thanks for the help everyone!

[VWD]

I agree that you won't get the cloudy water like You will with the dry, just make sure you have SG , temp and everything right before you put in tank. The cost is why I have stayed away from it in the past. We sell alot of it.

[UkrainianReefJunky]

What's SG? Probably gonna kick myself for asking, but haven't seen that abbreviation yet.

[Petunia]

SG = specific gravity

Here's a great page with some abbrevations: http://www.reefs.org/library/abbreviations.html

In regards to your first question: my opinion is... go with the live substrate.

[UkrainianReefJunky]

Thanks, I really should have known that, I'm a mechanic too so I use a hydrometer to test batteries. Thanks for the great link too. And I'm gonna go with the live.