55g sand substrate & filter help

I just bought 55g fw community tank 16g wasn't big enough any more. I would like to use a canister filter like the rena xp3 but Ive heard that canister filters aren't good for biological filtration so should I use another type of filter with it?
Also, is sand substrate like (pool filter sand) more difficult than gravel? Cause wouldn't make the water cloudy when stirred up and how would u clean it?

THANKS!