Cleaning Sand Substrate

[nmcturner]

I have a very heavily planted 29 gallon tank that also has a lot of rocks and rock caves. I took a lot of time setting everything up the way I wanted it so when it comes to cleaning the substrate I try very hard to just clean the areas that I can see and that don't require me to move anything.

My question is: How often should I remove everything from the tank and thoroughly clean the substrate. I really don't look too forward to doing this often because I really love the way it is set up now.

Also, will I ever have to completely replace the sand?

Edit: I have a lot of rocks in my tank. Mostly White Lava Rock. I have noticed in the past month that Algae(?) started to develop on the rock directly under the filter water return. Now it has spread to the surfaces of all the lava rocks. I think it looks natural, not bad. I just wonder if it has any detremental effects on the tank.

I'm actually not even sure if it is alae because I do have a plec in there and I never see algae on the glass. It is like a green "moss"

Thanks

 

[Ilya]

You can introduce bottom dwellers into your tank. They clean it up for you.

Snails and catfish do the job .

 

[Puffdaddy]

Small shrimp will help clean the areas you can't reach so well.

 

[Bozza]

Ive actually found snails to be the dirtiest to have in the tank. A few weeks ago I setup a planted 3ft with sand and ive noticed the snails are alot more dirty then the fish. Snails are good for cleaning leftover food and glass but not waste. Catfish should not be used as waste cleaners. They need a healthy diet just like every other fish.