Fish smell (apparently)

[CourtNjoeZreef]

So my Wife says my tank smells fishy. I personally do not smell it at all however I do not have the best sniffer.

I had originally set up with 1 filter bag of carbon its about 8"long by 2"wide bag. I am assuming this smell started recently (since she started complaining a day or two ago) I refreshed the carbon in that bag and added and additional 2 bags.

If the carbon doesn't do it what exactly are my options here?

PS. She is in her first trimester so smell sensitivity is at play here

 

[theMeat]

Fishy smell is odd. Maybe your feeding utensils? Can understand skimmer smell but that’s not fishy smelling imo. Maybe something jumped out of tank? Maybe you’re built backwards, feet smell nose runs?
Serious, fishy smell odd

 

[SPR1968]

Carbon should keep smells away (changed every 4 weeks at least) but if it’s coming from the sump for example, or the skimmer cup, you could try a non perfumed air freshener in the sump area, that’s what I use anyway.

Having said that, it ran out a few months ago and the tank doesn’t smell so I haven’t replaced it.

 

[Spare time]

I think the carbon should work. If it doesn't you can try a more premium carbon or something like chemipure.

 

[theMeat]

Good idea to change half carbon every two weeks instead of all carbon every month. Avoid swings

 

[CourtNjoeZreef]

Fishy smell is odd. Maybe your feeding utensils? Can understand skimmer smell but that’s not fishy smelling imo. Maybe something jumped out of tank? Maybe you’re built backwards, feet smell nose runs?
Serious, fishy smell odd

The skimmer seems to be working quite well. im going to have to make her smell things to help me out here. And yes my feet smell and my nose thinks its trying out for the olympics. #allergyLYFE

 

[CourtNjoeZreef]

Carbon should keep smells away (changed every 4 weeks at least) but if it’s coming from the sump for example, or the skimmer cup, you could try a non perfumed air freshener in the sump area, that’s what I use anyway.

Having said that, it ran out a few months ago and the tank doesn’t smell so I haven’t replaced it.

Im going to give the freshener a go for sure. also might put a hepa air purifier next to it.

Carbon is going to get changed every month from now on. I am currently using some cheap marineland carbon. very dusty. is there potentially a better brand?

 

[landlubber]

your wife isn't wrong especially if your tank is relatively new.
when my tank was newer the combination of algae and the skimmer cup smelled like low tide.
the good news is it does get better over time.

 

[SPR1968]

Im going to give the freshener a go for sure. also might put a hepa air purifier next to it.

Carbon is going to get changed every month from now on. I am currently using some cheap marineland carbon. very dusty. is there potentially a better brand?

You could try the Red Sea activated carbon Ive always used that.

I have however just purchased the Seachem Matrix Carbon, because apparently it lasts twice as long so needs less frequent changes. I haven’t tried it yet I’m just using up the rest of the Red Sea

 

[CourtNjoeZreef]

your wife isn't wrong especially if your tank is relatively new.
when my tank was newer the combination of algae and the skimmer cup smelled like low tide.
the good news is it does get better over time.

I definitely believe her. I just don't know to what extent. When I get home tonight I'm sure she will let me know if its better or not =D

 

[CourtNjoeZreef]

You could try the Red Sea activated carbon Ive always used that.

I have however just purchased the Seachem Matrix Carbon, because apparently it lasts twice as long so needs less frequent changes. I haven’t tried it yet I’m just using up the rest of the Red Sea

I tend to drift towards Seachem. In the early days of my hobby their products seemed to work the best for me.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

If you can vent the skimmer air outflow outside, that may help (I did that to avoid moisture in my basement where the skimmer was). i did that with a bathroom fan mounted in a window, and a set of "snorkels" made of cheap dishwasher discharge tubing sucking air from right over the air outflow, from inside sump and refugia chambers, etc.

More GAC will certainly help. ROX 0.8 is a good choice.

I personally found the smell of my tank and skimmate to approximate the 'smell of the ocean" and it was never a concern, but depending on the organisms in the tank, the smells can be unpleasant.

 

[58e970b2-3f88-4897-87ba-5]

You could look into adding an air purifier to the room. I find the Winix ones work well (hepa filter + carbon filter + ozone).

 

[Spare time]

You could try the Red Sea activated carbon Ive always used that.

I have however just purchased the Seachem Matrix Carbon, because apparently it lasts twice as long so needs less frequent changes. I haven’t tried it yet I’m just using up the rest of the Red Sea

I really like the red sea carbon. Very little dust.

 

[Deyan]

One of the perks of reef tank - my reef smells like the beach lol but if it stinks like a commercial fish store sounds bad!!! I second carbon. Do you have macro algae?

 

[CourtNjoeZreef]

One of the perks of reef tank - my reef smells like the beach lol but if it stinks like a commercial fish store sounds bad!!! I second carbon. Do you have macro algae?

I have no macro algae (nor do i have space for a fuge) I decided to add more carbon and that took care of my issue. =)

 

[miyags]

Is your water temp getting high?

 

[CourtNjoeZreef]

Is your water temp getting high?

No it is controlled at 78.

 

[homer1475]

Do you have a reactor to run the carbon in, or just passively in the sump in bag?

I too have the low tide smell once in a while. I change my carbon and it goes away.

BRS did a great video a few years back about how efficient a reactor was compared to running carbon passively(bags in the sump). The reactor was much more efficient, and removed the tannins and smell from the water much fater.

 

[CourtNjoeZreef]

Do you have a reactor to run the carbon in, or just passively in the sump in bag?

I too have the low tide smell once in a while. I change my carbon and it goes away.

BRS did a great video a few years back about how efficient a reactor was compared to running carbon passively(bags in the sump). The reactor was much more efficient, and removed the tannins and smell from the water much fater.

I just have it in my sump in a bag. I really dont have any extra room for anything in my stand. how i have it set though is right after the filter socks is a marine pure brick and then the 4 little bags of carbon next to it so all the water HAS to go through either the carbon or the block. seem to work well enough on this setup. The dream tank however will have all the goodies