Smelly tank

Coralgurl · #1 03-22-2012, 03:40 AM

So I have noticed over the last while my house is starting to smell like a fish tank. We just got home from dinner and it is really noticeable. I just cleaned out the skimmer cup last night so it's not that. I've got a lot of detritus on my sand that is now turning red, so hello cyano....tank transfer took place at the beginning of March. I added a sand starfish last night as well but haven't seen him since he went in. I did a water change last weekend and tried to get out as much crap out of the sump as I could, but my vacuum kept clogging up (it attaches to the sink and sucks). Have water ready for salt for a large water change this weekend. What am I doing wrong?

Casey8 · #2 03-22-2012, 03:42 AM

A dead snail in the tank could smell like that too, not just from a skimmer cup like I had a problem with before.

lpsreefer · #3 03-22-2012, 03:45 AM

Does the water smell in the display? or is it coming from the sump area?

Triggz · #4 03-22-2012, 03:49 AM

Any algae or liverock exposed anywhere? Do you run carbon? Carbon will def help with odor but lately I have been seeing more and more people having issues with running carbon in a reef setting. I would read through the "carbon threads" before making a decision on that.

Coralgurl · #5 03-22-2012, 03:52 AM

Seems like it's coming from the display tank, sump isn't that bad. I moved one of the power heads down a few inches to try to move more flow over the sand and I'm seeing more solids floating around, had to look closely to make sure it wasn't bubbles.

Mentioning a dead snail, I added 20 sand snails but haven't seen a single one come out....could they be causing this if they are dead??

Coralgurl · #6 03-22-2012, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triggz

Any algae or liverock exposed anywhere? Do you run carbon? Carbon will def help with odor but lately I have been seeing more and more people having issues with running carbon in a reef setting. I would read through the "carbon threads" before making a decision on that.

I've followed the carbon threads, bought some a week ago but haven't used as a result of the problems people are having. I bought premium bituminous coal activated carbon from wais aquarium, specifically manufactured for Wais. Like I said I haven't used it.

No rock or algae exposed or has been since set up, this smell is new over the last couple of days, no changes to the tank.

gregzz4 · #7 03-22-2012, 03:57 AM

Test your water for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates right away.
If things are rotting, you'll find out pretty quick.

gregzz4 · #8 03-22-2012, 03:58 AM

Is your DT open or covered?

fixerupper · #9 03-22-2012, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casey8

A dead snail in the tank could smell like that too, not just from a skimmer cup like I had a problem with before.

+1
This just happened here too.
Checked a few snails that hadn't moved for a while and when I brought the oozing one out ...ACH

It reeked so bad I nearly blew chunks. Tanks smell dissipated (I don't use GAC) shortly after I flushed it.

Triggz · #10 03-22-2012, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coralgurl

Mentioning a dead snail, I added 20 sand snails but haven't seen a single one come out....could they be causing this if they are dead??

A couple dead snails could def put off a pretty nasty smell. I find it usually only lasts a day or 2 though. The rest of your clean up crew should take care of them pretty quick (providing you have a decent CUC).