Odd Odor from tank

M

MuGGinsFliPPers

Registered Member
Oct 28, 2004
1
0
0
To do or not to do

I also get confuzzled by differing opinions.I am a newbie fish keeper and am glad to be a member here so hi to all.Hopefully I will learn enough to keep the lil finnies happy and safe in their tank.I am getting quite attached to the rascals.They wrapped me around their lil fins I think,lol.I have a freshwater 48 gal u.s. with an eel,clown knife,silver dollar,two lil cat fish thingies and two large prehistoric-looking algae eaters and two fairly large angel fish.In the 3 mths we had them (got them with their tank)I lost an angel from an injury and a blue cichlid got attacked by another cichlid,and yesterday my hubby brought home a darling lil baby angel not knowing it would be instant breakfast for the clown knife.That was a sad and shocking event and I was mad after I saw the contented look on clown,s face but know he could,nt help his self with a tasty temptation like that! :0( my hubby now knows better and yes,I added to his guilt,lol.. :sad :rant: :sad He felt very bad about the baby too so I know it won,t ever happen again.We do now have another problem though.A nasty odor from the tank,smells like onions and pepper,it burns my eyes,nose and mouth and someone suggested it may be the ballast (?) burning out or the filter thingy.We just did a water change yesterday-1/2 of it.Any ideas?
 
Turn off the lights and wait ahile. If it is the ballast then it won't smell if it has cooled. And if it is the ballast then don't ever use it again as they should not smell at all.

How often do you clean the filter and what filter is it? The filter media should be cleaned (not changed) every few weeks or so depending on the model and size and amount of waste.
 
Hear, hear! You should probably do more research on compatibilty concerns regarding your fish, and make a decision which direction you should go. Agressive fish, or passive community fish. Also not which are usually schooling fish. Schoolers will be much safer, happier, and healthier in groups of 6 or more.
 
Also, testing and posting your water parameters might help diagnose the problem. Ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, ect...all the standard tests...
 
I definately agree you should reconcider your fish species and combatibility. The algae eaters are probably plecos... in which case (if they're commons or other large species) they will grow too large for your tank (12-18''). The clown knife will definately get too large for your tank, 3.5-4 feet long. You should find out the species of cichlids and catfish you have, they may or may not be compatible with your other fish.

As for the odor, it almost sounds like ammonia. I also agree you should check your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates.
 
What if your gravel is so deep you have anaerobic breakdown of wastes into sulfides and other smelly compounds?
Click to expand...
I doubt that would happen with gravel, unless its very very fine, very deep and never gets stirred. Most likely sand will have pockets of anaerobic pockest of gas, but thats fixed through occasional stirring.
 
ouch

the story about the baby angel is
sad but somehow funny i too have
lost angels due to neglegence and
not doing enough research before
selecting my fish hope you feel better
though ,,at least it wasnt intentional ...
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom