sand is very easy to clean. if you have enough water current nothing will ever settle on the sand. Of the 4 sand tanks I have, I only have to surface clean one because I have poor flow. The rest are spotless.
I have a map and red ear slider in a 100 gallon with a betta, 9 tiger barbs, 6 goldfish and a couple of minnows. I only use a diy wet/dry from a 3 shelve thing from walmart. water is crispy all the time.
