Sand and Anerobic bacteria

[jlbfish]

To start off I was gone on vacation for 17 days and just returned. I gave my tanks a good cleaning before I left and again today. The received a little food every other day and some extra prime and water top offs after 14 days.

When cleaning my 28 gallon bowfront tank with the SuperNaturals white sand I noticed black spots. I raked the sand pretty well but there are some black streaks. I didn't go crazy because IF it was anaerobic bacteria I didn't want to release too much stuff from the sand.

My questions are:
Is this a problem?
Is it dangerous to the fish?
and how can I best fix it w/out doing more damage?

I do have a hard time cleaning the poop out of the tank for some reason it seems to not come off the sand. I have tried vacuuming the sand and just stirring the poop off the top so that I can get it out of the water. I must be doing something wrong.

 

[pitdogg2]

one of the reasons i paint my tank bottoms. Gravel,sand and other just grabs to much muck. I would stir it up well syphon all you can off the top when settled and do a big water change any gases would be removed mostly with the WC.

 

[jlbfish]

Thanks! I did stir it up well during a BIG water change and I will do it again this week.

I think I am switching to blasting sand instead of the SuperNaturals. That stuff packs kind of tight in there.