Alternative to buying all live sand?

In my opinion, Oolitic aragonite sand is your best choice. It is sphyrical and or eggshape and has a highly uniform grain size of (.025-.050mm). It will help to prevent large ph declines as well as stabilize calcium and alkalinity levels in your tank. It is less expensive than live sand purchased at your local pet shops as well. I would stay away from silica sand as it does nothing to control what I stated above!!!!

 

My LFS who has extreme sucess and my local aquaculture who is world renoun said that HD sand is fine as long as it isnt the brown stuff it is the white sand in the white bag.

 

I have had sand in my tank for about 4 years, so i guess with all the live rock thats in the tank, the sand is live sand now, type of sand? sandblasting sand...a.k.a. silica sand. true it does nothing for maintaining stability in the tank (ph, calcium etc.) but i cant say ive found anything negative either, and the cost (about 20 bucks for 4 inches or so in a 90 gal tank)is negligeable, also i really liked the bright white color, makes coral sand look brownish.
Just my expiernce, not saying you SHOULD use it, just saying ive been using it for about 4 years and had no problems from it.