Brown/Black spots and cleaning

[dojrb1]

I have a fairly new planted tank which is looking fine except for the one variagated leaf plant which has what looks like brown/black staining all over the leaves. I think it is in the light enough. I first thought it was algae put it doesnt appear that way now.

Also, I have read in lots of places about cleaning the gravel in fish tanks, using a sucky thingy (!!) but I have a sand substrate, and am worried that it will be too fine to clean in this way. Is there any way in which I can clean it as the fish leave lots of mess!!

 

[dcontes77]

I Use the Vacuum to go over the sand, it works weel for me! do not go to deep into the sand when you vacuum.