Water Smells Really Bad

[AquaticB]

Hi Everyone! I just started a new tank and added a few fish today. But I'm having a problem that hasn't happened with my other tanks... the water smells really bad.

I put the treated water in on Thursday, let the tank run until today (Saturday) and then added 1 Bala Shark, 1 Pictus, and 1 Angelfish. But I can't figure out why the water smells so bad. What can I do?

I plan on doing a 15% water change tomorrow, but is that going to help at all? :help:

Thanks, B

[wannabefishguru]

what size tank do you have?
are you using carbon?

[Kasakato]

Did you cycle?

[Jericho]

And have you tested your water, and what are the readings?

[AquaticB]

So many questions... Here are the answers:

30 gallon tank

I'm just starting the cycle (added a few fish today and plan on doing 15% water changes every 3 or 4 days for the first two weeks)

No carbon yet... I'm thinking I'll probably have to do that, but this is just wierd. I haven't had this happen before.

I haven't tested the water yet because it's only three days old and the fish were just put in today. There shouldn't be anything to test for yet.

B

[wannabefishguru]

okay first of all a bala shark well get to large for a 30g tank, take him back or plan on upgrading. secondly, to many fish to cycle with, plan on watching for spikes, and three, get some carbon in there. it will get the water crystal clear and gets rid of ordors.

[AquaticB]

You know what... I realized that about the Bala after I brought him home... impulse purchase (didn't think that one all the way through). I plan on putting him in my custom tank a little later.

I'll definitely get some carbon tomorrow.

Thanks for your help!

[Kasakato]

Whats it smell like? A heathy tank should smell like fresh soil.

[mishi8]

It's not unusually for the tank to smell really musty during the earlier stages of cycling (When I was cycling, I found the smell really permeated the room! And it happened with both a fishy and fishless cycle, only lasted a few days to a week.) That smell will go away eventually. A completely cycled tank will smell earthy, not musty.

[wataugachicken]

don't just do 15% changes every few days, let your water changes depend on your water parameters. test daily, when the ammonia is over .25, do enough water changes to bring it under that number. same with nitrites. that will leave enough in there for bacteria to grow, but not enough to harm the fish.