Sand in a cichlid tank?

[Flowmsp]

My fiance wanted black sand in her new cichlid tank we are setting up along with 50+ lbs of rocks. My questions are, Do i need to stir the sand up occassionally? Im guessing yes. And during gravel(sand) vacs do i HAVE to move the rocks? I hope not b/c she spent over an hr arranging them the way she wanted heh. Im hoping i can just stir the sand and force the stuff i need to vac out from the rocks with some current. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks =)

 

[SinisterKisses]

Pfft, the only time I move the rocks is when I'm tearing it down to rearrange them anyway

Yes, stir the sand up now and then. I just run my fingers through it each week when I do my water changes. And no, you don't have to move the rocks every time you vacuum.

 

[Flowmsp]

Thanks for the quick reply. This will make both of us happy, her due to her liking the arrangement as it is and me b/c less work during w/c's on our tanks. At 4 tanks now >< im sure it will grow too heh.