StringerBell wrote:

There is definitely dead stuff on the sandy bottom. Should I stir things up
into the water so that the skimmer has a chance to remove that stuff too?

No. The skimmer removes certain liquid substances from the water. It is not a
particulate matter filter. If you want to remove these items, there are several
ways with which I've had success.

1) You can hook up something like a diatom filter and stir the water up, letting
the diatom remove what it can. Don't run out and buy a diatom filter, though.
They clog rapidly, and you won't want to use one once you have livestock in the
tank (especially filter feeders).

2) You can also use a "python" brand vacuum system when you run your next water
change. I like this method a lot, since it picks up the detritus right from the
bottom. You do have to develop a certain amount of skill with it to avoid
vacuuming up your sand, but I use one for every water change.

3) You can use a similar vacuuming attachment with a particulate matter filter.
I have a "Hot Magnum" that I use for this sort of thing. I've not used it since
I put in my sand substrate, so I don't know how much trouble that will be. I
suspect it will take less skill than working with the python.

George Patterson
All successes in conservation are temporary. All defeats are permanent.