Redesigning my tank

Hi.. I've read alot of the questions and answers in this forum, it's really helping but I still have a couple questions.

Right now I have crushed coral on the bottom of my tanks but I dont have alot and have all live plants. I want to have a decent depth for the plants to root properly, I'm thinking of using play sand as I don't have alot of money and I have quite afew bags left after filling childrens pitt, but what should I be looking out for in regards to whats in it, to check if it's safe..?

Also can you change the levels of the sand throughout the tank if you wanted one end shallower than the other or does it eventually level itself out..?

Hope that doesn't sound too stupid..lol.. any advice would be appreciated.. Thanks..x

hi, im not sure about the play sand as iv never used it. i have my crushed coral deeper at one side and it dose start to level out over time, when i use my vac to clean the crushed coral i just pile it back up with the vac if you want different levels in the tank you coud make a wall out of stones across one of the corners of your tank and fill in behind the stones with sand

Playsand is fine to use in the tank, just rinse it really, really well. It is harder to vacuum than other sand because it's so light and fine, but you'll figure out a way.
I use pool filter sand in all of my tanks, and I love it! You can find it for around $5-$10 for 50lbs.
I think the fish, and water changes would contribute more to the moving of the sand. And snails if you have any .

Live, rooted plants need two or three inches of substrate. It's common practice to slope the substrate. One of the on-line aquarium shops even has a fake rock wall to help make a terrace.

When you're adding the sand, be sure you don't let it get air pockets. If that happens, waste materials will ferment in the pockets and eventually release gas.

which type of fish you have in your tank?because only cichlid can like crushed coral and all others like live plants or bare bottom aquarium.so depending on fish you can choose either you use crushed coral or live plants...
as m john said 2-3 inch if sand of gravel is necessary for plants growth because if you use 1-2 inch if substrate then the roots can be taken out of the substrate hence your plant can die...

Thanks for all advice.. Really looking forward to doing my tanks, starting with my 2 foot tank which will have all my babies, I have kribs and bristlenose plecos at mo..
Then it will be my 4 foot tank, which will have kribs, bristlenose plecos, fighters, phantoms and zebra danios..
I have all live plants, bogwood and slate caves..

Really looking firward to my new projects..

Don't forget to check on compatibility issues.