Salty on my 1st tank, I went with all beautiful expensive Tonga Branch LR - on my 2nd tank I decided to go with Marco Rock (dry rock) and 20% LR
Lots of corals like to live in the sand, so I like a more open look, around 1 pound per gallon
Both ways worked great for me, I used CaribSea Seaflor Special Grade Reef Sand - a nice white sand and not to small in size so as to suspend
Great advise from all above ^ no 1 right way, I would try for different levels as some corals like more light than others, I had what I considered pretty scape, after 6 years my corals have grown out to where I can't see hardly any of my rock
if this post is of any help... on depth sand most say.. go 1-2" or 4-5 plus... I have about 2 1/2" not sure that was best... but has worked