Cleaning black sand...?

[Argent]

What's the best way to suck up the detrius etc that sits upon the sand? I have a small aquarium gravel vac but even it's really too big for the tank. Since I've added snails and hermits I've noticed the sand getting 'dirtier'.

 

What do you people use?

[Daemonfly]

I use 1/4" airline tubing to lightly graze over the top of the sand. 3/8" works well if the 1/4" keeps getting clogged.

[evoracer]

+1. I take an old turkey baster and remove the bulb. Then run the 1/4" airline through it and out the front just a little. Makes a nice sturdy handle, and not that big and bulky. I guess you could also use a rod of some sort and some zip ties.

[Argent]

I just realized I have like a 60cc syringe (unopened) that I could use with a wee bit of tubing on the end to suck up stuff too..