I run BB, I'm happy with BB, and can't see going with sand but I do have to admit a maintained sand bed looks great, allows things I can't have and would make placement a little easier for things I do.

DSB, if required for NO3 reduction, can work in a display with a little effort. Believe though for the ease maintenance go RDSB and if want sand in the display for looks, go shallow sand bed.

I went with a compromise. There's a layer of sand covering all the viewable front/sides that varies from nearly nothing to 2" in some areas. MOST people would also view my sand to be dirty looking. I make few efforts to clean it and I believe that disrupts all the critters who are trying to make a living there.

The back (and other less visible areas) is completely BB. All the rockwork is also sitting directly on the bottom of the tank.

When I installed the small refugium, it has a DSB about 4" deep.

I didn't get my nitrate monitor until after the refugium was running, but I have no measureable nitrate in my tank. (I also have more algae than most people seem to want, so I can't conclude that my sand, refugium w/DSB are necessarily the cure)

BB here, maintenance is much easier too.

Just popping out a suggestion here but if you have a patch of GSP, work with it so you cover the bottom of your tank like a carpet.

The effect is gorgeous and I'm currently trying to get mine to spread more.

reminds me of this thread