Very small diameter steel shot works well.
Micro-Bearings is the best that I have found for fill however it can get expensive; http://starsoundtechnologies.com/microBearingFill.php
If you chose to use sand, fill a cookie sheet with a layer of sand no more than 3/16" high and bake it in your oven 350 degrees until totally dry, an hour or longer depending upon the type of sand you purchase.
Micro-Bearings is the best that I have found for fill however it can get expensive; http://starsoundtechnologies.com/microBearingFill.php
If you chose to use sand, fill a cookie sheet with a layer of sand no more than 3/16" high and bake it in your oven 350 degrees until totally dry, an hour or longer depending upon the type of sand you purchase.