Freshwater smells

2336 Views 15 Replies 11 Participants Last post by Jay2x, Aug 10, 2010

Jay2x

Discussion Starter · Aug 5, 2010

I don't know what's going on with the water in the tank but it starting to smell really bad, something like murky, fish all looks healthy and so on. But this stench is making me go nuts. What could be causing that awful smell?

Save

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

eternity302

· #2 · Aug 5, 2010

What's the water parameters?

Can also add some carbon and get the smell gone, but it's better to find the source of where it's coming from~

Save

Jay2x

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 5, 2010

Could it be the plants? it has a earthy smell, you know when the rain first drops to the grown it has that same smell. Will check parameters tomorrow or something.

eternity302 said:
What's the water parameters?

Can also add some carbon and get the smell gone, but it's better to find the source of where it's coming from~

Save

Luke78

· #4 · Aug 5, 2010

That "earthy smell" sounds normal to me.If your fish are acting alright then i doubt you have much to worry about.Run a check on all of your plants/gravel/filter(s) or even your lids and lights to see if everything is ok.I said lights& lids , cause water and waste does splash there and leave stuff behind.Do a count of all the residents and make sure everyone is there.Wipe down any spots or mess in and around the aquarium and stand its self.Lastly as already mentioned , run a few tests on the water to see where you stand.

Save

Jay2x

Discussion Starter · #5 · Aug 5, 2010

Luke78 said:
That "earthy smell" sounds normal to me.If your fish are acting alright then i doubt you have much to worry about.Run a check on all of your plants/gravel/filter(s) or even your lids and lights to see if everything is ok.I said lights& lids , cause water and waste does splash there and leave stuff behind.Do a count of all the residents and make sure everyone is there.Wipe down any spots or mess in and around the aquarium and stand its self.Lastly as already mentioned , run a few tests on the water to see where you stand.

Will do Thanks guys!

Save

gwcana

· #6 · Aug 5, 2010

You can help lessen the smell by doing frequent water changes. Also feeding fish less may help.

Save

jam

· #7 · Aug 5, 2010

could be algea i have algea in one of my tanks that gets a bit of sunlight and it smells earthy but it not over powering like your discribing

Save

neven

· #8 · Aug 5, 2010

i've sometimes noticed that if theres a spike in the nitrates/ammonia, that smell increases a lot, normally theres little to no earthy odor in a planted tank

Save

eternity302

· #9 · Aug 5, 2010

neven said:
i've sometimes noticed that if theres a spike in the nitrates/ammonia, that smell increases a lot, normally theres little to no earthy odor in a planted tank

I didn't know if it wuz just me that noticed so I didn't say anything.. but i agree.. high nitrates have alot of odour!

Save

charles

· #10 · Aug 5, 2010

or it could be the type of food feeding. What type of food are you using?

Save

beN

· #11 · Aug 5, 2010

my guess is food. prawns will make your tank stink. Pellets that are not eaten will make your tank stink also. Try this instead, feed your fish & be patient until they are done, then take out your excess food. Should be not smelly after that.

Save

Jay2x

Discussion Starter · #12 · Aug 5, 2010

I use cichlid gold by hikari.

Save

tony1928

· #13 · Aug 5, 2010

That's a fairly stinky food. I use some Hikari massivores too and they are also stinky. If you have large bogwood, they will also smell very "earthy."