Coral Blend is good stuff - but I agree on the expense.
Maybe check out the BRS Coral Chili:
All the key ingredients are included in BRS Reef Chili:
Bio-engineered Zooplankton
Spray Dried Phytoplankton Freeze Dried Rotifers
Freeze Dried Copepods
Dried Daphnia
Spirulina Powder
Artemia Nauplii Replacement Diet
I typically use the Piscine Mysis & Cyclo-Peeze then I add to the same cup the reef chili while it all thaws.
Regardless whatever you are using for your staple food, the BRS Reef Chili is very cheap and lasts a long time.
Check out the 82 reviews on BRS for one single item. (crazy popular)
The Rod's Food is probably better quality since it isn't freeze dried, but then you have to break it up with a hammer or ice pick.
I wish they made their stuff in cube form.
I know there are a couple of members who make their own recipe to feed their reef to save on expense.
Maybe we can have some people post their "11 Secret Herbs & Spices".