Courser sand, yes, but I'm still doing a DSB.... BWAHAHAHAAHAAHAHAHA
I do think a really fine grain sand is awesome for microfauna, but its just a pita when something agitates it. My blenny, for whatever reason, pulls a chinchilla and takes sand baths from time to time.
And im working on getting it filled up. Trying to think of something crazy I can do with the rock formation. Something that will allow me to keep lps, sps, and softies.... but in a defined manner such that I dont have to worry about them fighting each other.
Well...I am taking baby steps with you.
The second part I dont know if I can help you on...that is one thing that will always cause issues. Building a rock work that works, and looks good, at the same time leaving space on all your rocks for corals, and the ones you want to get good coverage, yet stay isolated from other things/be trimmable. Its hard.