I use beach sand/grit because it is available. It just makes cleaning easier.

Yeah not really a necessity, but it does kinda look nicer than the newspaper, thought i'd just give it a whirl for interest sake and cant say i mind it actually but not 100% sold i'll see how i go. i no doubt will probably just go back to newspaper at some point.

I use the same Lucerne hay that I use in my hen house, under the grate.

I always used paper towels. You hav eto change them frequently though.