mild fishy odor

Jeremy Luke · Apr 5, 2017

I recently set up my new build. I completed my cycle a couple of weeks ago and have added some fish. I have had smaller tanks in the past and have not encountered the mild fishy odor that I currently smell in the basement where the tank is. I notice it most when I open the stand. I've been changing my socks out every 3 days (with no signs of clogging prior to change).

The tank is an Aquasole 120L which is identical to the previous version of the Elos 120XL (same manufacturer) This is perhaps important and I'll get to that shortly.
Icecap 30 sump
Icecap K-160 skimmer
Return pump is an Octo Varios 6

Could I potentially eliminate this odor by running a carbon reactor?
Could this odor be caused by low flow through my sump? I didn't realize that the Varios is way too powerful for the overflow system. I have to run it on the lowest setting which may be lower than overflow max but the next setting up is too much. The overflow system can supposedly handle ~5x turnover.

I'm working to get my parameters to ideal SPS levels.

My current parameters:
Nitrate 5 ppm
Phosphate .08 ppm
Kh 9.1
Calcium 440
Magnesium 1440

Thoughts? Help?

mtraylor · Apr 5, 2017

Run some carbon and clean out your skimmer. New tanks always have weird smells, and it takes time to get the water just right. Once you get the tank up and running properly the water will have a nice sweet smell if you have allot of sps. Also if you don't have your protein skimmer going to a collection cup with a carbon filter on top. The skimmer can give off some really nasty smells. Just FYI

Jeremy Luke · Apr 5, 2017

mtraylor said:
Run some carbon and clean out your skimmer. New tanks always have weird smells, and it takes time to get the water just right. Once you get the tank up and running properly the water will have a nice sweet smell if you have allot of sps. Also if you don't have your protein skimmer going to a collection cup with a carbon filter on top. The skimmer can give off some really nasty smells. Just FYI

Thanks for the advice. Probably the new tank funky smells thing. It's been a few years since I set up a new tank. I just ordered a dual reactor. When you say carbon filter on top of the skimmer collection cup I'm not sure what you mean?

mtraylor · Apr 5, 2017

Sure here is an example. This is a high end one with gadgets. They have some with a ping pong ball valve to cut suction off as well for about 80 bucks. If you get one of these. It will get rid of most of the smells that you get from the skimmer.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-...hut-off.html?gclid=CI2giKDojtMCFQIpaQodVqAM1A

Jeremy Luke · Apr 5, 2017

mtraylor said:
Sure here is an example. This is a high end one with gadgets. They have some with a ping pong ball valve to cut suction off as well for about 80 bucks. If you get one of these. It will get rid of most of the smells that you get from the skimmer.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-...hut-off.html?gclid=CI2giKDojtMCFQIpaQodVqAM1A

Thanks for the info. I didn't realize they had these. That's awesome.

wkscott · Apr 6, 2017

It is your skimmer. Emptying it often, daily if necessary, will reduce the smell.
You don't need to waste your money on a new skimmer. Not sure why I am seeing this skimmer pushed when a very simple dyi helps with the issue. Simply take a very large mesh type media bag and fill it with fine grain activated carbon. I use BRS ROXX.
Place this bag on top of the collection cup and try to cover the cup's vent holes. You now have your own carbon air filter that works just as good. It works even better if you use 2 bags of carbon.

Jeremy Luke · Apr 6, 2017

thanks for the info. I'll try that first. Hopefully with that and running the carbon reactor I'll get the smell take care of.

Jeremy Luke · Apr 6, 2017

Haven't received my reactors yet but...I picked up a filter bag, filled it with carbon and placed it on top of the cup vents... Immediate, large improvement. Thanks.

wkscott · Apr 6, 2017

Jeremy Luke said:
Haven't received my reactors yet but...I picked up a filter bag, filled it with carbon and placed it on top of the cup vents... Immediate, large improvement. Thanks.

Glad to help.

SantaMonica · Apr 6, 2017

A related smell/problem is when the water level goes up and down. When up, algae growth on the surfaces, and when down, the algae dies and smells.

Jeremy Luke · Apr 7, 2017

Ugh, I will not live with algae!

mtraylor · Apr 7, 2017

wkscott said:
It is your skimmer. Emptying it often, daily if necessary, will reduce the smell.
You don't need to waste your money on a new skimmer. Not sure why I am seeing this skimmer pushed when a very simple dyi helps with the issue. Simply take a very large mesh type media bag and fill it with fine grain activated carbon. I use BRS ROXX.
Place this bag on top of the collection cup and try to cover the cup's vent holes. You now have your own carbon air filter that works just as good. It works even better if you use 2 bags of carbon.

LOL
Its not a skimmer....

mtraylor · Apr 7, 2017

Jeremy Luke said:
Haven't received my reactors yet but...I picked up a filter bag, filled it with carbon and placed it on top of the cup vents... Immediate, large improvement. Thanks.

Awesome!
My waste collector is so old it doesn't have a brand on it. I think I paid some where around 60 to 80 bucks. I have mine out to the side of the aquarium. It makes it easy to change out the waste without having to get under the aquarium. Also it gives you allot more time before having to change out depending on what size collector you get. Oh and not to mention. No more smell and overflowing in the sump.

Happy Reefing.

wkscott · Apr 7, 2017

mtraylor said:
Awesome!
My waste collector is so old it doesn't have a brand on it. I think I paid some where around 60 to 80 bucks. I have mine out to the side of the aquarium. It makes it easy to change out the waste without having to get under the aquarium. Also it gives you allot more time before having to change out depending on what size collector you get. Oh and not to mention. No more smell and overflowing in the sump.

Happy Reefing.

Do you have your tank in a fish room? I wouldn't want an ugly skimmer sitting in my living room. And as for smell, the fact that the skimmer isn't in your stand, doesn't remove the odor, it just means that the stench more easily permeates the entire room and you get more used to it.

Any pics of your setup?

Gogoggansgo · May 4, 2019

mtraylor said:
Run some carbon and clean out your skimmer. New tanks always have weird smells, and it takes time to get the water just right. Once you get the tank up and running properly the water will have a nice sweet smell if you have allot of sps. Also if you don't have your protein skimmer going to a collection cup with a carbon filter on top. The skimmer can give off some really nasty smells. Just FYI

I can confirm my tank just cycled and i got a nice stock of fish. After a week it’s got a mild fishy smell when i open it up. Also didn’t help that my snail was right st the top. They smell bad anyways

bluprntguy · May 4, 2019

Carbon should help, but don’t overdo it. Dosing live phytoplankton seems to help my tank as well. Makes it smell like the ocean.

SantaMonica · May 5, 2019

Yes most people don't realize that the ocean smell actually does come from algae. Technically it's the DMS in the algae.

Gogoggansgo · May 5, 2019

SantaMonica said:
Yes most people don't realize that the ocean smell actually does come from algae. Technically it's the DMS in the algae.

Isn’t it from dead algae, i lost a large amount of micro algae in my display tank. It just didn’t take off right lol i replaced my carbon bag yesterday and boom no more smell