Pretty sure that brains are happier in the sand--if they get enough light there, and won't be buried if you have a digging fish. They have very limited mobility, but in sand, it's better, and they can retract and protect themselves. If you have any fish prone to digging, though, they can easily be buried too far. And, the bottom of the tank is the lowest light level, depending on the depth of the tank and what lights you're running.