Smelly Substrate

[geno8701]

I have an 125 gal SA cichlid, with a sandy bottom. The tank has pet shop smell that has my front room smelling like PetsMart, and was not there when I had the tank stocked with Africans. I thought maybe the africans keeped the sand aerated with all there digging. My SA do not participate in digging. Is that the reason, or is it the different kind of fish? This is really motivating me to transition to gravel. I do an weekly 25% water change faithfully.

 

[bigspizz]

What are the mates? sizes? And filtration? If you can think of anything else relevant , like test results and amount and frequency of feeding, even I would be able to help you! (the pros will help you in a New York minute! lol)

 

[DasArab]

Problems with Gas pockets usualy show up as black marks in the sand, are there any?

 

[Miles]

The sand is compacted.. you will probably have to remove the fish and tear it down and put in a larger substrate that can house bacteria more sufficiently.

 

[andyourblueblood]

what do you have for filtration?

 

[n0zqh]

My tanks start to smell it's time to replace the carbon in the filter.

 

[ShadowStryder]

Carbon just hides the smell it doesn't fix the underlying problem. I would start with larger water changes (50%) and make sure you vacuum the sand. (Not just the top of the sand) Sand tends to pack much more easily.
Depending on your filtration, you need to list what type and size you are using. What type of fish, sizes and the number of them. You may need to increase the filtratiion. Water parameters etc.
You don't need to change the substrate unless you want to. I personally don't care for sand as it tends to drift and get in filters and ruin them.
I run filtering on my tanks that moves tank volume three times and hour.

 

[Mystix212]

I would replace the carbon for a temp smell reduction.

But dead areas (places with no current) usually smell bad and have lots of collecting debri. This usally take place in corners and or under ornaments.

 

[ksfishguy]

A lot of folks love their sand, I've never used it. However, I vacuum my gravel on every water change to keep the debri down, especially the tank with a wet/dry.

I had a "smelly tank" before. I did massive daily water changes for about five days, kept the lights off, quit feeding for a few days, and it cleared up. My wife wouldn't go in the basement it smelled so bad. My problem was over feeding and too much light. At the end of the week I could stick my nose next to the water and take a deep breath. It should smell like an aquarium, but not repulsive.

Are you going to take the sand out? That sounds like a project, but I'm sure you will enjoy creating a "new" tank setup - think of the possibilities!