Substrate in Aggressive Tank Help

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I'm thinking of converting my 125 fresh to an aggressive salt tank.
What substrate do you aggressive tank owners use for a aggressive FOWLR tank?
I will add a protein skimmer for the LR, however, will most likely have no sump because my stand had only 1 door which would not work for maintaining a sump.
So would CC with periodic syphoning be the way?
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[swtanks]

I use a DSB. CC would cause too many problems in the long run. You can get denitrification with a DSB and in a predator tank you will want that. CC would be too hard to try and always siphon IMO to keep clean.

 

[justchillin]

i also have dsb in my aggressive tank...
aside from the denitrification i think it looks much better...

 

[underthesea]

I use a dsb in my aggressive fowlr tank. It looks great and is alot better for the fish depending on what type of fish you are adding for example shraks and sting rays. Also it is a good denitrifing system also.

 

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thanks to those who applied.
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[skirk]

But in answering his question...A crushed coral bed would work fine in a fowlr if you don't mind the periodical water change. Say perhaps 20% water change on a monthly basis using a syphon to clean the bottom. Actually, if you don't overpopulate it then it won't even need cleaned that often. Granite, the other techniques are better but I've never seen a fish have a problem with a cc bottom. The casual Nitrate build up is fine for an agressive fish. I know many people who do it this way and get along just swell. So if that's the way you are looking to do it then go ahead. Just don't change your mind and try to add reef items to it or it won't work as well. HTH and good luck.