whats wrong with this...

[akhtar]

my tank water has a weird smell to it, the waters crystal clear but its really smelly when u tank the lid off, is this normal, thanks bye

 

[suemack]

hi akhtar

what does the smell remind you of - might give some clues as to what is causing it and if it is anything to worry about. The other thing is have you tested your water for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate - is there anything going on there.

sue

 

[Aqua_Princess64]

I have had the same thing for months, and I haven't lost a fish yet, so I think your tank should probably fine if it's the same thing.

 

[gadazobe]

Do you have algae coz that can make a tank smell funny.

 

[goldfishattack]

I have a similar problem right now, it smells like rotten water, but i used bottled water, just wan't the freshest

 

[dixaisy930]

If you have live plants, that might be the cause if they're not fairing well in your tank. Or it could be an ammonia/nitrite spike. It could also be too much debris in the bottom of the tank.

 

[Cian McLiam]

Ammonia in a tank gives of a smell like rotten eggs, rotting bogwood will give a really unpleasant musty smell like low tide at an estuary river. Try stirring up the water with a finger quickly, if the bubbles dont burst in a second or two, its a sure sign the water is unhealthy. I do this on my two tanks and betta bowl and only test once a week if that.
You should however test for ammonia as its the most likely suspect.

Ken

 

[akhtar]

"unpleasant musty smell like low tide at an estuary river" yeahhhh ken
thats the smell!

what is it?

some bubbles stay for 4-5 seconds?

is it amonia?

the waters clear, what do i do?

 

[gadazobe]

Is this a new tank or well established one?

 

[akhtar]

its abt 2-3 weeks old

im cycling it with goldfish (2)

then im putin a betta in

 

[Cian McLiam]

What else is in the tank? do you have a lot of algae?? My betta bowl did smell like what your talking about after I was on holiday. I took out the plant that was in it to clean of the algae and OMG did it stink! Also, how is it being filtered? stagnant water thats not being turned around by a filter gets stinky very fast, especialy with the amount of filth goldfish make...

Ken

 

[akhtar]

im using an internal power filter, there a layer of alge but, u can see through it

how do i clean it?

if u use a tisue it with get all sloppy and will tear, what shall i use?

and, my local fish store dont sell siphon so i cant siphone the water from the bottom...

what shall i do? sorry bout all the questions

 

[akhtar]

im using an internal power filter, there a layer of alge but, u can see through it

how do i clean it?

if u use a tisue it with get all sloppy and will tear, what shall i use?

and, my local fish store dont sell siphon so i cant siphone the water from the bottom...

what shall i do? sorry bout all the questions

 

[khs666]

akhtar

If it is the algae causing the smell - which personally I wouldn't expect as my Father in Law has a heavily algaed (!) tank which doesn't smell - then it depends on where the algae is to clean it.

If it's along the bottom (sitting on the sand/gravel) then check your filter pump. The same tank had the same problem which was solved by putting in a more powerful filter (the old one had given up the ghost as the algae had managed to knacker the insides rather than just requiring a clean).

If it's on the glass then in England (and I presume elsewhere) you can get magnetised cleaning units that one side sticks on the inside and one on the outside and you clean the tank that way.

HTH

BTW - I am a newbie myself but seen 3yrs+ with Mother and Father in laws tank. Before anyone slaps me for giving duff advice!

 

[lizard]

If it's on the glass then in England (and I presume elsewhere) you can get magnetised cleaning units that one side sticks on the inside and one on the outside and you clean the tank that way.

We have 'em here in the U.S. too. I think they're cool little things and that they look like fun! I don't actually own one though.

Pamela
aka Lizard