Why does my tank smell like a rotting fish?

[SteveR]

the thing that I don't get, is how is that going to change the smell?

Cycling tanks never smell like rotting fish.

Maybe the reason the tank went into a "mini cycle" is also the reason it smells? Like a dead fish for example...

Also, OP, did you check maybe one of your fish jumped and is somewhere stinking up the place?

Ahem...they do!

 

[SteveR]

I have a 1,500 gallon indoor tank with KOI in it, and I do more than 50% water changes every month, and mine NEVER smells.

I do small water changes every week as well, and that never stinks either.

Maybe I am just lucky?

Nope. You're not 'just lucky' - your tank is cycled. The Ops tank is going through a mini cycle/ Amm spike. Ammonia and Nitrite should always be 0 or fish will die/there will be a bad smell/bad things will happen to you.

 

[mshill90]

Nope. You're not 'just lucky' - your tank is cycled. The Ops tank is going through a mini cycle/ Amm spike. Ammonia and Nitrite should always be 0 or fish will die/there will be a bad smell/bad things will happen to you.

I guess I should have said that they have never smelled. Even when cycling.

 

[cichlid2006]

I guess I should have said that they have never smelled. Even when cycling.

x2 on this.

 

[SteveR]

x2 on this.

The smell depends on the amount of Ammonia ie stuff like initial stocking affects this, and then of course consider how good your nose is! Some people have a better sense of smell than others and your nose has to be like an inch off the waterline surface.

 

[Allan01230]

Lower your bio load and your tank will be fine. A 75 is just not that big.

 

[SteveR]

Lower your bio load and your tank will be fine. A 75 is just not that big.

Listen to this man - it's good advice.

 

[Deep Blue Sea]

The tank has cycled, the amonia started dropping yesterday and is now at about .25

 

[mshill90]

The tank has cycled, the amonia started dropping yesterday and is now at about .25

Does it still smell like rotting fish?

 

[Deep Blue Sea]

No it has no smell =)