my water smells sometimes

M

momtank

AC Members
Dec 14, 2008
23
0
0
southeast Wisconsin
My tank is 3 months old. I use 90% r/o water and 10% spring water. My water is very soft, neutral ph. No ammonia or nitrite. Nitrate is never over 10 ppm when I do my water changes. I do 30% twice a week. However, the water has a smoky cloudiness to it (it looks like rolling smoke because of the current from the filter). The cloudiness is really annoying, but I've read that this is normal in a tank younger than 6 months (don't know if that is true or not, just read it in a few places). But the most troubling is that sometimes the water smells really foul. But then a few hours later, it doesn't smell. Then it will smell again, etc.
It fluctuates like this throughout the day, and I can't figure out what causes this.
Ever heard of this? Do you know the cure???
Thank you very much to anyone who has some good advise.
 
I read earlier today that ammonia can smell like urine- but it I doubt it would fluctuate like that during the day.
 
How big is the tank? How is it stocked? What kind of filters? How often are the filters cleaned. Smell coming and going is odd. Has it always been cloudy? The tank shouldn't be cloudy for 6 months. I've never had a new tank stay cloudy for more than a day or two when starting with seeded media. Was the tank cycled before adding fish?
 
Do you use Prime to treat your water? I've noticed that my Prime has a sulfur-esque scent to it and it makes my water smell for a little bit. It usually gone about 30minutes after I dose though.

Just a shot...
 
Why are you using RO water?

AFA the smell, what does the smell smell like? Is it an earthy smell?

What are your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate readings? As well as your stocking, maintenance schedule and tanks size?
 
Interesting....I've noticed my tanks smell a little "fishy" myself. DOH! My apologies...I couldn't resist. Bad James, Bad!

The cloudiness sounds like a bloom to me.

How is the stocking? Plants? Filter maintenance?
 
Blueiz said:
Why are you using RO water?

AFA the smell, what does the smell smell like? Is it an earthy smell?

What are your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate readings? As well as your stocking, maintenance schedule and tanks size?
Click to expand...
I also wondered about the RO:) I always tell people a tank should smell a little like dirt.
 
Dirt is very good description. Especially when well stocked. I attribute it to the smell of potted plants after they get all dried out.
 
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