Vaccuuming Tanks w/ sand

[loachboy]

I have 3 tanks
    1 10gal
    1 29gal
    1 55gal

In all 3 tanks I have sand for the substate.  I really love loaches and they really like the sand.  My question is,  what is the easiest way to vacuum the bottom.  Currently I just skim the bootom to suck up all the stuff laying on the top of the sand,  the problem is it also sucks up some of the sand too.  Is there a better of doing this?  I am doing it completly wrong?  I don't have a problem replacing the sand when needed,  I just want to make sure I'm not doing more harm than good.  All my readings are good, except Nitrates and that because of my tap water.  

Tim

 

[eseow]

I do the same thing in my tank. I just vacuum enough to get the dirt up. It does pick up some sand, but not much. I 've also used a vacuum with a catch pouch. I just wash out the dirt, and sprinkle sand out of pouch back into tank. I also have an air wand as close to my filter pick-up & the sand as possible, that way I can draw waste across the sand toward my filter pick-up. I just stir the dirty area that the wastes settle at till they float into the filter pick-up, leaving the sand behind. I also position my pick-up about an inch to an inch & half from sand.  *celebratesmiley*