It's worth trying more substrate changes!
I can relate to preferring a Nice Look there, but you'd be happier compromising on that aspect to get physical payoffs, and keep hobby enjoyment.
I suggest that you reduce the substrate depth, it's the easiest first change. It may result in bare spots, if power is sufficient to get crap to intakes, but nobody's gonna die from that. LOL, give yourself some relief time to think.
Then, the size of the sand ("grit", when shopping for it) makes a difference in sand-bed stability. Finer sand always has mounds & such, either from fish habits or power heads, etc.. crap settles in low spots.
Per previous post, a thin layer of small pebbles would allow all the power head blowing you'd need to get crap to the intakes. It looks nice. but I know you're thinking the fish won't enjoy that as much. LOL. and therefore, you won't either.
If you stay with a thin layer it's easier to experiment and find what's both aesthetically pleasing to you, and that you feel the fish "enjoy".
Perhaps scattered river pebbles combined with areas of heavier sand, enough sand that the fish can mess with but stable enough to stay clean with power heads.
I know how it is when physical problems screw with enjoying something. but one mere aesthetic part of your tanks is not worth completely losing them over. you'll not be happy with that.
I am also considering some alteration of my sand bed, due to the same reasons, but not such a heavy fish load. I net crap all the time. but I left for a week, and my husband didn't. I came home to a mess. had not realized that my tank cleanliness was so dependent on me netting crap, it's always pristine. Gonna make some changes, including leaving the feeding portions in pre-measured bags if he has to feed. My fish all looked pregnant when I got back, his "pinches" are SO different than mine. LOL.
Good Luck!
