Choosing your substrate is very important. There are many options out there. The kind you choose will effect the cycling time as well as the time you spend on maintenance. No matter what type you choose, it is important to have the proper depth. At minimum, the bed should be 1 inch thick. But it is preferred to have a 2-3 inch bed.

Crushed Coral: This type comes in many different sizes. It is dead so it does not help with cycling time. It also needs to be cleaned on a regular basis to keep water chemistry levels down. On the other hand it is considerably cheaper in cost.

Live Sand: This type of substrate is alive. It contains bacteria straight from the ocean. If you choose live sand your cycling time will be reduced because your biological filtration gets a "boost" from the bacteria. Live sand does not need to be cleaned. You will pay roughly $25 per 20lb bag. A bit pricey but I have found it worth the cost.

Aragonite: Arogonite is a dry sand that is a very good substrate for reef aquariums. Because it usually comes in a dry form it should be seeded with some live sand. A cup of live sand from a fellow reefer's tank can seed an aquarium of just about any size.