Help! Water in my tank smells!

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
W

whitechicks7

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 16, 2012
84
0
0
singapore
Bought a new 2feet tank a few days ago, added a few fish. (2 pacus , 1 cat fish , 1 gar)

The smell is not strong but when I am close to the tank it smells like...something raw.

My tank has a bare base with a drift wood an a bag of dead coral chips.

I am using a mini canister with sponge / ceramic rings in it, but it's pretty weak.

The water is clear , dishes are doing fine(eating and all)
Just that the smell.

Can anyone help me solve this ?
Ps: can I place bags of ceramic rings in my aquarium tank base instead of the filter ? My filter is kinda full.

Thx!


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 
You're smelling the ammonia production on an uncycled tank. It something you'll have to endure, somewhat, until your tank cycles with a proper BB population. You can control some of the smell by employing the use of Chemi-pure or activated carbon. Once the smell is gone you need to keep up on your water testing and maintenance to keep ahead of your nitrates. The ceramic rings will be a perfect substrate for BB bacteria. Ensure you place the bag somewhere within the current flow.
 
http://www.firsttankguide.net/cycle.php
I would do a 50% water change, then I would go back to the store and buy some Seachem Stability.
the ceramic rings don't need to be in fast water. for good biological filtration you want to pass the tank volume over them between 1-3 times an hour.
the fish you chose, while nice, are also big and fast growing. with good care you should expect them to be too big for their tank in under a year.
 
Like said before, the smell will go away. Just need to endure while the beneficial bacteria grow. A bag of carbon(rinsed first) right in the tank doesnt look nice, but for a temporary situation, it will work on the odor fairly quickly. I have noticed certain foods will give that dead carcass smell. One food in particular is Hikari Gold for cichlids, the pink pellets reeek!!!! I know its good food but I had to stop using it because it would stink up the tank for days.
 
Yeah, daily water changes is pretty much a must during the cycling. I have used Seachem Stability with great results.

Also, as you do the water changes don't vacuum the gravel and stuff or clean the filter until the cycle is complete and mature.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom