It shouldn't get dirty unless you are over feeding. Everything that goes into your tank needs to go through a fish
Also in response to
@Bruce Leyland-Jones,
I think I've been over feeding.
New to this species, I haven't gauged their needs yet. Also, not sure what to feed at first.
I've used frozen daphnia, mini algae wafers, dried and cubed tubifex worms cut up very small because they float, and crushed Hikari micro pellets. So at least I got something right...
I thought I would see the "burrowing" behavior but it's been more of a poking pecking nudging behavior. Also they do forage in the plants, eat off rocks and branches often.
I haven't noticed much eating off the sand. But, the colour of the sand is such that I can't tell as much.
Now, when I first got the fish I put them in a tank with a very shallow layer of what was bought with a shrimp tank and was basically labeled shrimp substrate, or substrate that was specifically good for shrimp. It consisted of tiny clay balls. They actually seemed to eat off that surface better than they're doing right now.
I was worried about gravel but since these little clay balls were so smooth I thought that it would be okay for a little while until I got the sand.
I watched closely and they seem to feed easily and work amongst the bottom quite well. in addition I had a very clear view of what was left over and I was able to feed them what I thought was a proper amount and not too much. There was little waste. Also, they took to the little algae wafers whereas on the sand I have noticed that they just kind of sit there and get gross. Of course I remove them right away!!!
The only difference from this first setup is that there weren't any elements of landscape in there.
It was very easy to clean the shrimp substrate but I knew that they were supposed to be on sand so I went ahead and switched.
I use a simple gravel vacuum, the same I use with all my other tanks.
One last thing, I have to consider the fact that the surface area and size of the tank are probably not adequate for the stocking. This is temporary as I am testing a 10 gallon right now for leaks. This should help with the problem I have in regard to getting between the rocks and plants and such.
I feel pretty hopeful about the turkey baster idea. I've used small syringes---(without the needles of course, they were given to me by my vet to use for my cat to squirt stuff in her mouth)---to clean out the bottom of fry tanks and it works pretty well and I think the turkey baster idea would probably do the same in this case.
I also need to research what plants would do better in sand that will not wilt as much.
Okay that was long-winded but I'm hopeful. I've wanted these little characters for over a year and finally found some at the local fish store in the size group I wanted. They held up well at the store so I went for it even though it was a splurge!
My my sweet little babies I really hope I can succeed with them.
I'm I'm definitely still on the fence about the sand though...