New Aquarium Owner - Help Needed

[star4]

Can you get another picture of your parrot? It looks like it has marks on its top line to me, I am not sure if they are just markings or a problem.  The syno is also concerning me with the pores open along its lateral line and the white markings on his head, if this was a cichlid I would be saying it has hole in the head, but I have never heard of a catfish with it. Do the white marks come and go?

 

[ARH17]

Well if the sand isn't too deep I don't think you need to worry about turning it. It's not that hard though if it is deep just run something through it during your water changes.
Good snails for this though are Malaysian Trumpet Snails. They can multiply quickly especially if overfed. I have heard of cichlids eating them so it may or may not work.
 
When cleaning the sand you use a siphon just like on gravel but instead of sticking it in the sand you have it slightly above the substrate and make a swirling motion, this kicks up the poo and it goes up the siphon

..Actually I stick my siphon in the sand, just not deep, and quickly pull it back out. I don't know if it's really bad for me to do that but I find it easier sometimes.
 
If it's not water change day you can use something like a turkey baster to suck up poo as well.
 
There are vids on youtube that show how to do this as well

The only thing I've managed to do today is change the white bulb to a blue bulb and I bought some nice rock (I think it's Tufa Rock?) but that's about it. 
 
I spoke to a couple of aquarium stores and they was helpful, they did a full test on my water and both the places come back good, they both said nothing to be worried about it's all fine so they suggested I only do a 25-30% water change? 
 
As for the sand I wont be putting that in because I've found out we have to move house soon as I don't want to do it and upset the fish and then have to do it all over again in a few weeks, but I'm too impatient! 
 

Can you get another picture of your parrot? It looks like it has marks on its top line to me, I am not sure if they are just markings or a problem.  The syno is also concerning me with the pores open along its lateral line and the white markings on his head, if this was a cichlid I would be saying it has hole in the head, but I have never heard of a catfish with it. Do the white marks come and go?

 
I wont be able to get another picture until later, but I was told the little markings on him are normal? Even so I am trying to rehome him anyway
 
As for the Featherfin Squeaker I have read up that the markings are most likely from scraping along the ornaments or rocks etc and also it could be the Malawi's nipping at him, which again is normal so I have heard? 
 
Once I get sand and rock in and get rid of all the ornaments and pebels etc I reckon it will be a much better place for the fish with a lot more caves, then I'll be adding at least 10 more Malawi's 

 

[guppyguy1234]

more tanks more maintainance and more responsability i also have 4