Smelly Tank!

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

jonoz

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 22, 2008
38
0
0
Brisbane
Hey all,

Have just upgraded from my 100gal to a 450gal.

The process I used was to empty out my 100gal into 2 44gal drums leaving the last 10/20% of bottom water in the 100gal.

Then once the 450gal tank was in place I filled it about 200gal then added my probably 80gal of old tank water.

The new tank has all the old filters etc which is an FX5 and internal powerhead. It will have a sump soon when I get my drip tray and hose to connect it all up.

So my tests show the following;

Ammonia - 0ppm
Nitrite - 0ppm
Nitrate - 20ppm

But obviously the nitrate will be something to watch but the tank has a very fishy smell.

Ive read up alot about that and it seems its from the tank not being cycled or waste buildup or sometimes some smelly wood/rocks.

I have removed my driftwood and rocks then done the above tests to check if it was an Ammonia buildup but its not.

I have 3 other tanks that are 10gal, 20gal and 45gal and none have this smell.

Stocking in the tank I feel is pretty light as below;

Silver aro - 30cm
RTC - 20cm
2 Geophagus Brasiliensis - 16cm
2 Convicts - 10cm
4 Silver Dollars - 12cm, 13cm, 14cm and 16cm
Oscar - 16cm

But Im looking forward to your thoughts on what may be causing this smell.
 
If it makes you feel any better I've gotten that smell for awhile after settiing up a new tank with aged water and mature filters. Almost like a settling-in period or something. I've not gotten any ammonia or nitrite spike and nitrates would show just as yours is. Not sure what the explaination is but it goes away after a week or so.
 
i would guess it will subside. Its probably from all the moving around.

The filters probably got sloshed around a little, the wood was moved. the substrate was stirred up.

I wouldnt worry. As long as your parameters are good and obviously you dont have any detrius built up in the corners of the tank since its brand new.

I would just continue as normal and it will probably fade away
 
probably because of the sheer volume of water. He thought old water would be beneficial.

Certainly i dont think using the old water could hurt.
 
I have set up many large tanks for myself and for other people.That smell seems to be a normal part of the process. I have a personal theory that the smell is from bacteria die off. But as others have stated, it passes fairly quickly.Good luck.
 
zennzzo;2331643; said:
I wouldn't pass up on the 0 / 0 / 0 water perams myself...to each their own...
Click to expand...


The only way I could get this is if I used 100% old tank water, then ran that through a plant filter to remove nitrate.

I have both ammonia and nitrate in my tap water, Dang Kansas City Water Service.
 
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