Keeping sand clean.

I always see tanks with beautiful white sand. Mine overtime where it meets the glass turns brown/black. Is this simply I need a stronger cuc? Or is there something I am missing?

 

Here is a pic...

 

That's totally normal. I use this: http://www.marinedepot.com/JBJ_Aqua...ers_Pads-JBJ_Lighting-JB3511-FIMTASLH-vi.html

The blade slides nicely between substrate and tank. Gets it clean

 

+1 I've had that same problem for a while. My guess is that it is from the build up of the "bad stuff" in the sand bed. Scrapping it with something that can easily get between the sand and glass is your best bet.

 

glad i saw this, im having a hair algae problem on a new setup, and my CUC stays on the rocks. They just walk over the sand bed and keep moving. Was thinking today it would be nice to have a small rake of some sort, maybe even a Cat litter box scooper. But that JBJ cleanup kit is exactly what i need.

 

This is pretty cool, if you are careful does it not stir up all the "bad stuff" into your tank?

 

I got a couple cucumbers (mostly for the "i like them factor") because they eat dirty sand and poop clean sand. Like most clean up crew you may or may not get them to eat where you want lol.

 

Clean sand? Are you sure? Done any......uhm......back to back tests? Maybe clean-er.......er sand but "clean sand", lol? ;D