interesting, i also have a slightly discernable odor emitting from the tank when i open the hood. i also have bubbles on the top of my tank, what causes these bubbles? i am currently using a 250 biowheel filter with two filter media, one was recently changed but the other remained to keep some of the bacteria. this may be a strange question but is this smell uncomfortable for the fish? my tank is not cloudy, just minor debris floating around.
tank smell
- Thread starter Chuck_T
- Start date
the earthy , dirt smell is normal..you should really be able to smell it in the filter...it's the nitrifying bacteria...
if it smell like sulfur(rotten eggs) you have a problem..most likley dead or dying algae,bacteria,etc..or rotting food.
but the dirt/earth smell is okay to have and is normal..
if it smell like sulfur(rotten eggs) you have a problem..most likley dead or dying algae,bacteria,etc..or rotting food.
but the dirt/earth smell is okay to have and is normal..
The bubbles are caused by high levels of dissolved organic compounds. The tank has not fully matured yet (it usually takes about 6 months after the cycle period for your biofilter to fully mature hence the common cycles of foamy water, brown algae ...) Just do you routine waterchanges and wait for the biofilter to mature and the bubbles will eventually go away.
To further enhance on the subject, the biofilter does a lot of stuff not only consume ammonia. It breaks down fish hormones, food, cellulose (planted tanks) ... This takes some time for this capability to develop on its own (up to 6 months) but this can be accelerated by adding some mulm (the solid portion extracted during a gravel vacuum session) from a mature tank. The earthy smell is completely natural and won't bother the fish since that is how their natural environment smells also.
To further enhance on the subject, the biofilter does a lot of stuff not only consume ammonia. It breaks down fish hormones, food, cellulose (planted tanks) ... This takes some time for this capability to develop on its own (up to 6 months) but this can be accelerated by adding some mulm (the solid portion extracted during a gravel vacuum session) from a mature tank. The earthy smell is completely natural and won't bother the fish since that is how their natural environment smells also.
Last edited:
