layered sand+gravel, how to keep it clean?

[Tostada]

I like black sand, and I was going to get some low-light plants, so I'm planning on putting Eco-Complete in my 30 gal. hex. It'll probably take almost all of a 20 lb. bag.

I also really like the look of a little black or dark blue gravel on top of black sand (saw a tank like this at LFS). So I was thinking of putting around 6-8 lbs. of small gravel on top of about 18 lbs. of Eco-Complete.

So right now the plan is 20 lbs. Eco-Complete, 5 lbs. small blue gravel, 5 lbs. small black gravel, with the gravel mixed together and put on top.

Is this going to be a nightmare to keep clean? I'm just thinking things might get a little messy using a gravel vac. Is it just not worth layering the gravel on top? I don't really care if it gets mixed up -- it would probably still look cool.

I'm just wondering how people actually go about cleaning sand, or if they just stick some MTS in there and clean it pretty rarely.

 

[Devilishturtles]

I still vaccum up the top layer of sand. MTS will help to keep you sand aerated and I would definitley do that.

Oh, and remember to take pictures.

 

[Tostada]

I've only ever used gravel before, so I guess I'm mostly just a little worried about everything getting all stirred up and the whole aquarium turning cloudy when I try to clean the sand.