ESV sand, the fine grained oolite, is excellent. If you can find Southdown Coral play sand, it used to be available at some Home Depot's (not mine) or Lowe's, is identical, as far as I can see, and only about $5-$6/bag, I forget whether the bag is 40 or 50#.....I have used both, and I cannot tell the difference between the two. Once you have your tank going, it will be easy enough to get some live sand from anybody on this list, and most (good) LFS will be happy to give you, or sell at a minimum price, some sand from an established tank. Take care, Eric