my sand bed is almost 3" deep was told i should go one inch or between 4-6" what do you all suggest and which is easier for a newbie?
Do what you like the best. That's it. Doesn't matter. There are tanks that are very successful with bare bottom all the way up to ridiculously deep sand beds. The key with any sand bed is to keep a good clean up crew that also turns the sand (nassarius snails, healthy crop of bristle worms, etc). They will help keep the detritus that will collect there stirred up into the wafer column. You might also want to do this yourself every now and then. This "funk" can cause problems years down the road. Nutrient buildup is a big one.
+1 just get yourself a wooden dowel rod from walmart or craft store and stir it up from time to time. I would do mine the day before i did a water change.
