Cleaning Ugly Sand

[Oscar]

I have ugly sand. It is not as pretty as the nice white sand showing in most tank shots. It is white/black/purple/green and it has been that way for 12 months.

I am ashamed to take it out in public!
I want to know how to bring this stuff around.

I currently have the following issues:

1. New skimmer on order that should arrive in 2 weeks. I have never had a skimmer that really worked as well as it should.

2. Poor flow. Awaiting replacement parts for my Vortech (water and electrical stuff do not mix).

3. I also have one sand sifting star and a bunch of nasarius snails. The star was added 6 months ago but with no appreciable difference to the sand.


So...can I stir my sand? Will that release methane or something worse? Is stirring the appropriate treatment?