Vacuuming Sand???

[lnknprkpl]

I've heard mixed feelings on this, so I thought I'd post. I have heard from some people that you should vacuum the sand to avoid toxic gas pockets in the sand. I have heard from others that you shouldn't vacuum the sand because you will remove 'good' bacteria. What are everyone's thoughts on this? My sand is brown on top and I'm kind of on the fence, not sure what I should do?

 

[reefkprz]

its not the "good bacteria" you remove, bacteria grows in a biofilm that would be difficult to remove from your sand with a pressure washer.
you suck the benificial microfauna out of the sand bed and disrupt (depending on the depth) the anaerobic bacteria exposing it to oxygen killing it. basicly it puts your sand bed in a constant state of flux and for very little benifit.
an appropriate clean up crew and selection of detriticvores negates any need to siphon your sand bed.
the Brown on top, sounds like diatoms and its a natural stage that will pass when all the available silicates have been bonded with the diatoms.