Needing help with freshwater sand....

Question
QUESTION: Hi, you've helped a couple friends of mine so they told me you could probably help me as well.  Im starting a tank and Id like to use sand.  My question is what I need to do as far as selecting, setting it up, and maintaining it.  Ive heard a bunch of things to do to get it ready for the tank and a bunch of things to do after you set it up and was wondering if you could put it all out in the clear for me....thanks a million!!!

ANSWER: Hey Jeremy!
Sand is a great choice because it doesn't require vacuuming much at all.
As far as the rest of your question, I would need to know what type of fish you are going to keep?
What size tank?
When you let me know this, I can help you with filter selection and how to cycle a tank before you add fish.
You'll need a good test kit for one thing.
Get back to me..

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the speedy reply.  Its gonna be an african cichlid tank.  60 gallon hex, Im gonna put 8-10 africans {either shell dwellers or malawi} 2 or 3 green spot or figure 8 puffers and a couple of snails.  havent decided on an algae eater...dont want a pleco.  my rock work will be all texas holey rock.  I currently have a 90 gallon malawi show tank and have had many others in the past ive just never used sand.  So mainly I need to know about the anerobic stuff and the steps to take to place it in and maintain it in the tank.  Look forward to all your advice and suggestions{plant ideas would help...hehe} thanks ver much.  

Answer
Hi Jeremy,
There is no special care for sand or how to set it in the tank. It is a maintenance free substrate. However, with sand, Malawi's may feel a bit out of place. They love to push gravel around. It's part of their nature.
Also, sand provides the tank with no special nutrients, whereas, if you chose crushed coral, it would naturally keep the PH high.
It's your choice, but sand is easy. Just put it in after rinsing. Rarely need to vacuum it.
As for plants, I use Hornwort. It's good for the fish and the water.
Careful with those puffers! I had them and they ate my entire stock!
The snails will control the algae and so will the hornwort.