For those of you that have Faux sandbeds...
 

Just wondering how long you've been running ur set up with a faux sandbed...if algae grow's all over it and if snails and what not can keep it clean.....

About 15 months here. Epoxy & aragonite mix on the bottom separated from glass by cellophane. I'm still fighting algae on it near front & center, but some patches of coralline are emerging, I'm hope full.
I don't think there is a way of maintaining sand look.
This mix is actually still porous, so cleaning only goes so far. Also I got a middle lifting up (about 3/4") as it's not really attached to the bottom and (as seen elsewhere) this thing layers of epoxy have tendency to curve.
Long story short I recomend starboard to the BB crowd if you just want to protect the bottom.
I'll post some pics later, time to feed the kids.