Stinky water but perfect readings

DotFrog · 01-23-2012, 02:48 PM

What could be wrong with my tank?

Gizmo · 01-23-2012, 03:00 PM

Rotting wood, and lack of plants in conjunction with saturated carbon inserts in the filter are two causes I know of. Try adding fresh carbon and/or live plants.

jbrown5217 · 01-23-2012, 03:04 PM

Your tank is probably going to smell a bit earthy. Honestly I wouldn't worry too much about it unless it is immediately noticeable, like giz said however, rotting wood, and old carbon inserts could be the problem as well.

beaslbob · 01-23-2012, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DotFrog

What could be wrong with my tank?

did you use dechlor or ammonia lock like prime.

if so they are stinky sulfur compounds.

DotFrog · 01-23-2012, 08:23 PM

Imfo:
No real wood in tank
Some wisteria, some plastic
Used dechlorinating drops
Change filter ~ 2-3 weeks

jrman83 · 01-23-2012, 09:39 PM

Try running some fresh carbon in your filter if it bothers you. It should get better or go away.

jbrown5217 · 01-23-2012, 10:15 PM

I wouldn't ever change your filter media unless it is absolutely necessary (carbon is an exception). Otherwise you lose beneficial bacterial and you end up going through a mini-cycle.

At least not all of it. It is ok to change inserts one at a time.

holly12 · 01-23-2012, 10:32 PM

Lol, was gonna say what Jon said. Sponges and Biomax only need to be changed if they are falling apart of not holding their shape properly (you can go years with only ever rinsing them in the dirty fish change water once every few months.) And again like everyone said, try a new carbon pouch.

My tanks have always had a "wet grass/wet soil" smell to them.... what exactly is the smell you have?

beaslbob · 01-24-2012, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DotFrog

Imfo:
No real wood in tank
Some wisteria, some plastic
Used dechlorinating drops
Change filter ~ 2-3 weeks

bingo.

(and could be still cycling also)

Try adding lotsa fast growing plant like your wisteria and some anacharis.

then not doing water changes and not using the dechlor. Just replace water that evaporates.

Also are you dosing dechlor for the entire tank or just the water you're replacing? If for the entire tank you are overdosing the dechlor, creating the smell, and risking the fish.

my .02

susankat · 01-24-2012, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beaslbob

bingo.

(and could be still cycling also)

Try adding lotsa fast growing plant like your wisteria and some anacharis.

then not doing water changes and not using the dechlor. Just replace water that evaporates.

Also are you dosing dechlor for the entire tank or just the water you're replacing? If for the entire tank you are overdosing the dechlor, creating the smell, and risking the fish.

my .02

Thats not true bob, I dose entire tank with dechlorinater when doing water changes with python and it doesn't make my tank smell. If there is chloramines in the tap water that don't dissapate at all and you must use a dechlorinator or kill your fish as it is more toxic than chlorine. And a healthy tank needs water changes.

beaslbob · 01-24-2012, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by susankat

Thats not true bob, I dose entire tank with dechlorinater when doing water changes with python and it doesn't make my tank smell. If there is chloramines in the tap water that don't dissapate at all and you must use a dechlorinator or kill your fish as it is more toxic than chlorine. And a healthy tank needs water changes.

When you do a 10% water change do you add the amount of dechlor for 10% of the tank or for 100% of the tank? If the latter IMHO you are overdosing.

my .02

jbrown5217 · 01-24-2012, 11:40 AM

When I use conditioner/dechlor for water changes When I first fill up I use the recommended amount. If I do a 50% water change I only add half the dechlor I would use. It says right on the directions to do so. Basically 5ml treats 10 gallons. So if I do a 50% wc I only add 2.5ml of dechlor to it.

susankat · 01-24-2012, 12:03 PM

I never do a 10% change as its not enough, I usually do 50% and I dose for entire tank this time of year because of all the impurities in the water. It hasn't done anything bad to my tanks. And that is every week, even on my 220.

jrman83 · 01-24-2012, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beaslbob

When you do a 10% water change do you add the amount of dechlor for 10% of the tank or for 100% of the tank? If the latter IMHO you are overdosing.

my .02

Going back to what you originally said, whether you add enough for just 10% or 100, it still doesn't make your tank smell. I know you have limited experience with them and group them all together. Prime smells, but you put 1 capful for every 50g. You really think smell will come through with that much dilution? Aquasafe (another brand) has no smell. You dump a whole bottle of Prime in a tank and I still don't think it would smell. You've never used it, you should have no response to that.

beaslbob · 01-24-2012, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrman83

Going back to what you originally said, whether you add enough for just 10% or 100, it still doesn't make your tank smell. I know you have limited experience with them and group them all together. Prime smells, but you put 1 capful for every 50g. You really think smell will come through with that much dilution? Aquasafe (another brand) has no smell. You dump a whole bottle of Prime in a tank and I still don't think it would smell. You've never used it, you should have no response to that.

that is incorrect I have used prime during the one tank crash I have suffered. And according to instructions in a very real emergency. The tank smelled.

Otherwise I don't use dechlor or anything else and my tank's don't smell.

my .02

jrman83 · 01-24-2012, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beaslbob

that is incorrect I have used prime during the one tank crash I have suffered. And according to instructions in a very real emergency. The tank smelled.

Otherwise I don't use dechlor or anything else and my tank's don't smell.

my .02

Maybe the cause of the emergency caused your tank to smell. By the way, the OP never mentioned Prime...an assumption you made. If Prime was causing that, don't think it would be one of the top products for water conditioners - but that is just a guess. Most mentioned product here and at least 2 other sites I frequent (Planted sites...you should stop by). So I guess everyone is just saying, "buy this, it will make your tank stink for sure"? Not.

DotFrog · 01-24-2012, 02:51 PM

So, to sum it up, tell me if I'm wrong.
Change filter cartridge
Get more live plants
Something else?
And also I use aqua safe.
Smell is stinky, yet earthy.

susankat · 01-24-2012, 03:08 PM

An earthy smell is normal. It would also help to do larger water changes each week.

DotFrog · 01-24-2012, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by susankat

An earthy smell is normal. It would also help to do larger water changes each week.

Larger as in how much,

My current changes:
Estimated 10-15% weekly
Estimated 25% monthly plus gravel cyphen and other cleany stuff.

susankat · 01-24-2012, 04:32 PM

I would suggest at least 30% weekly and up gravel vac to at least every 2 weeks.

01-23-2012, 02:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
DotFrog DotFrog's Photo Gallery Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 160 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 231 Times Said "Thanks" 7 Times Was Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Stinky water but perfect readings What could be wrong with my tank? __________________ 20 gallon semi planted: Filters: top fin 10 and 20 power filters. Fish: 2 panda cories, 1 peppered Cory, 5 kuhli loaches, and 4 cherry barbs.

01-23-2012, 03:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
Gizmo What do fish think about? Gizmo's Photo Gallery Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 2,350 Name: Guy Miller Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Feedback: 7 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 183 Times Said "Thanks" 451 Times Was Thanked 603 Times in 573 Posts	Re: Stinky water but perfect readings Rotting wood, and lack of plants in conjunction with saturated carbon inserts in the filter are two causes I know of. Try adding fresh carbon and/or live plants. __________________ Officially fishless until after the move....tune in later for details!

01-23-2012, 03:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
jbrown5217 No Title Needed jbrown5217's Photo Gallery Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 657 Name: Jon Location: Currently live in Nashua, NH for school, but home is in Wilbraham, MA My location Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 100 Times Said "Thanks" 38 Times Was Thanked 116 Times in 110 Posts	Re: Stinky water but perfect readings Your tank is probably going to smell a bit earthy. Honestly I wouldn't worry too much about it unless it is immediately noticeable, like giz said however, rotting wood, and old carbon inserts could be the problem as well. __________________

01-23-2012, 08:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
DotFrog DotFrog's Photo Gallery Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 160 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 231 Times Said "Thanks" 7 Times Was Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Stinky water but perfect readings Imfo: No real wood in tank Some wisteria, some plastic Used dechlorinating drops Change filter ~ 2-3 weeks __________________ 20 gallon semi planted: Filters: top fin 10 and 20 power filters. Fish: 2 panda cories, 1 peppered Cory, 5 kuhli loaches, and 4 cherry barbs.

01-23-2012, 09:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
jrman83 ....has no life.... jrman83's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 9,468 Name: Ben Location: White Plains, MD My location Feedback: 16 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 3,396 Times Said "Thanks" 478 Times Was Thanked 2,431 Times in 2,286 Posts	Re: Stinky water but perfect readings Try running some fresh carbon in your filter if it bothers you. It should get better or go away.

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01-23-2012, 10:15 PM	#7 (permalink)
jbrown5217 No Title Needed jbrown5217's Photo Gallery Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 657 Name: Jon Location: Currently live in Nashua, NH for school, but home is in Wilbraham, MA My location Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 100 Times Said "Thanks" 38 Times Was Thanked 116 Times in 110 Posts	Re: Stinky water but perfect readings I wouldn't ever change your filter media unless it is absolutely necessary (carbon is an exception). Otherwise you lose beneficial bacterial and you end up going through a mini-cycle. At least not all of it. It is ok to change inserts one at a time. __________________

01-23-2012, 10:32 PM	#8 (permalink)
holly12 Dude.... wait..... what? holly12's Photo Gallery Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 3,074 Name: Holly Location: Canada My location Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 815 Times Said "Thanks" 672 Times Was Thanked 528 Times in 515 Posts	Re: Stinky water but perfect readings Lol, was gonna say what Jon said. Sponges and Biomax only need to be changed if they are falling apart of not holding their shape properly (you can go years with only ever rinsing them in the dirty fish change water once every few months.) And again like everyone said, try a new carbon pouch. My tanks have always had a "wet grass/wet soil" smell to them.... what exactly is the smell you have? __________________ 20g Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981 36g Bow Front Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981

01-24-2012, 11:40 AM	#12 (permalink)
jbrown5217 No Title Needed jbrown5217's Photo Gallery Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 657 Name: Jon Location: Currently live in Nashua, NH for school, but home is in Wilbraham, MA My location Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 100 Times Said "Thanks" 38 Times Was Thanked 116 Times in 110 Posts	Re: Stinky water but perfect readings When I use conditioner/dechlor for water changes When I first fill up I use the recommended amount. If I do a 50% water change I only add half the dechlor I would use. It says right on the directions to do so. Basically 5ml treats 10 gallons. So if I do a 50% wc I only add 2.5ml of dechlor to it. __________________

01-24-2012, 12:03 PM	#13 (permalink)
susankat Pleco n bn breeder n BOSS susankat's Photo Gallery Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 5,420 Name: Susan Location: Tulsa, Ok Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 4,151 Times Said "Thanks" 1,618 Times Was Thanked 1,809 Times in 1,549 Posts	Re: Stinky water but perfect readings I never do a 10% change as its not enough, I usually do 50% and I dose for entire tank this time of year because of all the impurities in the water. It hasn't done anything bad to my tanks. And that is every week, even on my 220. __________________ SUCCESS IS MEASURED BY YEARS, NOT MONTHS!!! 220 Tank build http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/sta...late-3253.html

01-24-2012, 02:51 PM	#17 (permalink)
DotFrog DotFrog's Photo Gallery Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 160 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 231 Times Said "Thanks" 7 Times Was Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Stinky water but perfect readings So, to sum it up, tell me if I'm wrong. Change filter cartridge Get more live plants Something else? And also I use aqua safe. Smell is stinky, yet earthy. __________________ 20 gallon semi planted: Filters: top fin 10 and 20 power filters. Fish: 2 panda cories, 1 peppered Cory, 5 kuhli loaches, and 4 cherry barbs.

01-24-2012, 03:08 PM	#18 (permalink)
susankat Pleco n bn breeder n BOSS susankat's Photo Gallery Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 5,420 Name: Susan Location: Tulsa, Ok Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 4,151 Times Said "Thanks" 1,618 Times Was Thanked 1,809 Times in 1,549 Posts	Re: Stinky water but perfect readings An earthy smell is normal. It would also help to do larger water changes each week. __________________ SUCCESS IS MEASURED BY YEARS, NOT MONTHS!!! 220 Tank build http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/sta...late-3253.html

01-24-2012, 04:32 PM	#20 (permalink)
susankat Pleco n bn breeder n BOSS susankat's Photo Gallery Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 5,420 Name: Susan Location: Tulsa, Ok Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 4,151 Times Said "Thanks" 1,618 Times Was Thanked 1,809 Times in 1,549 Posts	Re: Stinky water but perfect readings I would suggest at least 30% weekly and up gravel vac to at least every 2 weeks. __________________ SUCCESS IS MEASURED BY YEARS, NOT MONTHS!!! 220 Tank build http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/sta...late-3253.html

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