I have to say I went with play sand I washed it, it was a nice rich color and it almost cost me all my plants ! It was so fine it coated everything, I got pool filter sand from ace and it was so much more sturdy, very easy to brush of the leaves when I did touch ups. The moral is ...... Look at the size of the GRAIN you don't want fine sand in your tank omg trust me, 2 months and I'm scared to do touch ups, ugh ! Ill post a pic of two months latr cs week one Pfs. And month 6 pea gravel, but I Wanted sand so I was willing to experiment, I knew the risks, sand that's fine not only coats leaves but kills roots, luckily my new tank explodes still so gas pockets are broken and, I siphon of a bit of sand each water change, I'm happy with Pfs !!