I have kept sand in tanks over the years but I always used an artificial sand sold in pet stores specifically for fish.Real sand can effect the PH and hardness of the water OK if you only want african chiclids.But most people stay away from sand because it can harbor a toxic substance hydrogen sulfide,which is highly toxic and you can watch it bubble up out of pockets in the sand.But before I scare you away all you need is a fish that likes to dig or that will burrie in the sand you will be fine, also malasyian trumpet snails burrie in the sand to keep it stirred up.I have never had problems with artificial sand and think it is very pleasing to the eye,and it is cool to watch fish burrie in it.Plus you can get it in different colors.Be carefull it dosen't get in your motor on your filter put a filter sponge over the intake.I broke 3 filters in one day before I realized what was happening,
