Smell

[Kath131]

Hi have had my tank for 6 weeks, but have recently noticed that when we walk into the living room where the tank is there is a distinct smell, similar to stagnant water.

We have part cleaned/changed water twice since since we have had the tank. Is there anything I can do to combat the smell, apart from using air freshners and burning scented candles? Am I doing something wrong for the water to smell like this?

thank you.

 

[gaz gun man]

well you're supposed to do weekly water changes on a tank, unless you're fishless cycling.

Even so my tank never gave off any smell for the 5 or so weeks it went without water changes during fishless cycling. Then again its only 125L in a 12x12 room.

You could try some carbon in your filter, as that supposedly gets rid of odours

 

[Kath131]

well you're supposed to do weekly water changes on a tank, unless you're fishless cycling.

Even so my tank never gave off any smell for the 5 or so weeks it went without water changes during fishless cycling. Then again its only 125L in a 12x12 room.

You could try some carbon in your filter, as that supposedly gets rid of odours

Thank you for your comments, we have fish in the tank already and followed all instructions. Have been told need to change water every two weeks. So this could be the problem? we have 10 fish and it's a 60litre tank, maybe need to change water more often then?

thanks.

 

[youngfisher]

What fish do you have? - I have a feeling you might be overstocked.

Also - How did you cycle the tank?..Did you cycle the tank?

 

[gaz gun man]

possibly. Try doing 20-25% water changes on a weekly basis. If that dosent work then try the carbon

 

[thenat]

yea i used to have that problem when i had a large tank. i added carbon to the filter and that did the trick

 

[br3ach]

If this is a new tank and you have 10 fish then you need to be changing your water far more regularly according to the fish in cycle thread on the board. Your water is probably full of waste from the fish and that may be contributing to the smell?

 

[Kath131]

What fish do you have? - I have a feeling you might be overstocked.

Also - How did you cycle the tank?..Did you cycle the tank?

Hiya, we did do a fishless cycle and so far have lost 3 fish in 7 weeks, so not too bad for a beginner and we can't be sure that they were in the best of health when we bought them being learners.

We have 1 molly, 2 platys, 4 neons 4 corydoras, 2 danios which all seem quite happy and thriving. The smell seems to have gone, so we suspect it was not coming from the tank!! But i had to be sure and advice on here is well worth learning. Thank you guys, I suspect you will tell me my tank is overstocked it's 60litre tank. So i promise to be good and buy no more fish yet! We will clean the water and tank more often now to ensure healthy fish. cheers

 

[gaz gun man]

stocking seems pretty good, though a few of them prefer to be in bigger groups.

 

[OldMan47]

You should gauge the water change interval by testing your water using a liquid type measuring kit. If ammonia or bitrites are coming close to 0.25 ppm, do a large water change. If all of your water parameters are staying at good numbers, you can use some carbon in your filter to help with odors. If you have any leaks or spills that end up inm carpeting, you may have a mildew going on in the carpet that makes the room smell every time you enter the room. I had a filter problem a few weeks ago that I found by noticing that I smelled something as I entered the room where the tanks are located. It turned out the filter was causing some water to spill onto the floor's carpeting and it took over a week to clear the problem completely.