Second on the Pool Filter sand. My SA fish love it. A lot of them will take mouthfulls of the sand and move it around or hunt through it for food.
Also strongly agree on the drift wood.
As far as plants go, you'll need some really tough plants to keep with those fish. They are all redecorators to one degree or another. I recommend tying Java Ferns to the driftwood, it will root into the wood and you won't have it dug up all the time.
If you plant anything in the pool filter sand, be sure and put an Iron rich plant root tab (Flourish makes good ones) or the plants will not get enough nutrients. This is particularly true for Anubis and Swords, both good plants to keep with your fish if you're wanting something to root into the sand.
Gotcha. Not looking to create an exact biotope, just trying to find a good compromise for all or most of the inhabitants.
I have the following:
Jack Dempsey
Parachromis Friedrichsthali
Convicts
Yellow Head
