Cycle question!!

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Sand basically is all up to the owners preference. I have about an inch of Tidal Marine Substrate in my FOWLR tank. Much more i dont think itd look good in MY tank, but some tanks look better with less, and some look better with more. But i recommend getting Live Sand, its a little less work too keep clean. And for color, id go for a really light beige or white, it looks more natural to me.