My Nano Reef Smells, Help!

Larry101 · Feb 29, 2020

Hello, I have a 15-gallon aqueon column tank along with an aquaclear 50 HOB filter along with a 240gph powerhead and 12 pounds of dry rock and 5 lbs of live sand. I have been cycling for about 3 weeks now, but I think I am just going to keep cycling for another month just because in 2 weeks I am leaving for a 2-week vacation so it's just convenient. Here is my problem, cycled the take with a shrimp, I left the shrimp in the tank for exactly 3 days to spike the ammonia, and went to take out the shrimp, it literally disintegrated and dispersed throughout the whole tank. I was only able to take out the big chunks, the skin, and the tail. The rest of it just dispersed throughout the tank. Every time I open the hood the water smells like my hand after a day of fishing, and I don't think that is normal. Can someone advise me on what I should do about the fishy smell, thanks!

Kellie in CA · Feb 29, 2020

Carbon might help.

Larry101 · Feb 29, 2020

I have been running carbon ever since 2 weeks ago as I also thought it might help but it hasn't. The tank still has a fishy smell.

fishguy242 · Feb 29, 2020

+1 carbon

HOOPDEEZ · Feb 29, 2020

Add some bottled bacteria, change out carbon and other media once the tank is clear

Larry101 · Feb 29, 2020

HOOPDEEZ said:
Add some bottled bacteria, change out carbon and other media once the tank is clear

So change out the media??

HOOPDEEZ · Feb 29, 2020

A whole shrimp in 15 un-cycled gallons is a lot, if you really want the smell gone, then clean out the crud. If you’re gonna wait that long you’ll be fine with cycling. If you want the tank to move forward get a rock or sand from someone’s system that is well established and add some life. “Cycling” happens quickly, but getting diverse life to balance in equilibrium and letting the tank mature takes a while.

KrisReef · Feb 29, 2020

@Larry101

You are new here. You might want to start a build thread, post pictures and ask questions as you go?

Also you could start an introduction thread, but I'm going to hijack this one:
Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Where are all the meme's at? @Crabs McJones

Shrimp have a lot of oils in them, so the stick will persist for awhile. A 100% water change and carbon change might also help. Good luck!

jsvand5 · Feb 29, 2020

It will go away on its own once everything settles down. All of my tank smell for a few weeks when newly set up.

Larry101 · Mar 4, 2020

Would running new carbon and GFO work?

glb · Mar 4, 2020

I think the smell will go away after the cycle is done and you’ve done a water change to lower the nitrates. If you take out the carbon in there already, be aware that you will be removing some of the beneficial bacteria with it. At this stage that’s probably not a problem. Also, for next time, I’d suggest cycling with pure ammonia. It’s much cleaner and doesn’t leave any debris or smell. Good luck!!

Glott3133 · Mar 4, 2020

That fishy smell is due to a new tank cycling. It will go away on its own. You could just ignore it, or do like others say and do a significant water change and that may cut down on the smelliness. But as your tank goes through its paces, it may come back in a few days to a week.

brandon429 · Mar 4, 2020

At three weeks submersion, see any cycling chart you are ammonia controlled, nitrite controlled and whatever nitrate is doesn’t matter (your readings once the filth water is changed)

why not use updated accurate microbiology to manage your tank and vacation:

change all your water you are cycled, make it fresh. The firm rule of a completed cycle is no degree of water changes can undo the cycle, make use of that rule.

leave on vacation try and keep it topped off. You don’t have to feed bacteria, they cannot starve of feed. Bac existed using feeding mechanisms before humans were on scene with fish food to control their destiny lol #bromicrobiology

vacation in peace, you’ve fed enough for ten lifetimes.

come home to a clean, ready fresh tank.

HOOPDEEZ · Mar 4, 2020

I think you will clean up the stink with new carbon and a water change, but the GFO statement concerns me. Your tank is new and doesn’t have any phosphates to be worried about. Your coral need some phosphates to be healthy, so you will struggle if you run GFO on a new system. I haven’t needed it after 3 years, and don’t plan on using it in the future, but if phosphates really got out of control I’d consider it. I would remove the Gfo and let things equalize naturally