Not that I want to get into the same old sandbed debate, again. But you could also try a half sandbed (patent pending
) like mine. I had a semi deep sand bed (1.5-2 inches) and proceeded to suck it out, only I stopped half way for some reason.
I now have a sandbed in the back of the tank and under the rockwork but not in the front. It works well because my powerheads no longer kick up a storm in the tank!