When I was younger I had sand and all I remember is how nasty would get over time. When I would syphon it to make it cleaner it would cloud the water like crazy clogging filters making the issue worse. I have barebottom on both tanks and love being able to use turkey baster, pour water in and stuff with out worrying about the sand clouding the water like crazy. So I say bb might try a sand one in the future but for now I think it is way less stress and much easier to maintain the tank.