Tank Odor... Need Help...

Gary Ellis · Jun 30, 2018

2 month old Red sea Max E260. The aquarium is set up in my livingroom. It has an odor of some sort and it's burning my eyes. What can it be and what can I do to stop it?

Fin · Jun 30, 2018

Hmm, never heard of that. I don't suppose you are running ozone? What kind of odor is it?

Gary Ellis · Jun 30, 2018

No ozone...I can't explain the odor. It seems to be stronger when the skimmer is working extra hard. The skimmer cup stinks terrible when I clean it. Is this normal? Of course the Max E260 is open in the back where the sump is.

Fin · Jun 30, 2018

Yeah, skimmate stinks. Try emptying your skimmer cup every day or two and it won't be as bad. You can also get a skimmate collector (if your skimmer cup has a drain for one) and these have small carbon containers on the top that will help with the smell. Like this - Avast Marine Davy Jones' Locker skimmate collector.

Reab · Jul 1, 2018

Try running a bit of carbon, it should help clear up the stank

Gary Ellis · Jul 1, 2018

I've been using ROX 0.8

Reab · Jul 1, 2018

Ok so i read up a bit on what you have going on. How or did you cycle your tank. Im thinking that you maybe smelling a bacteria bloom. Has the water gotten clowdy at all, like someone spilt milk in it?

Reab · Jul 1, 2018

Also your algae: Diatoms, they are feeding off of the silicates that are in the sand and rock. Very primitive algae that find its way in the tank first, this is nothing to be worried about it will run its course. at this point you may look to add some hermits/snails/shrimp.

Toadstool: is it possible to get a better picture, some phones have the option to adjust the light setting. Toadstools shed their skin to grow and this could be a reaction to stress, leave it be and wait a bit

Gary Ellis · Jul 1, 2018

Yes it has gone very cloudy for a couple of days and clears up and then back to cloudy. I've read some negative things about the ROX carbon. I used half the suggested amount and now I think I will remove it and see what happens.

Reab · Jul 1, 2018

I would also remove the bio balls that you have in there as they can become detritus traps and end up having a negative impact on your system. Easy fix, pick up some seachem stability and add that to your tank. This stuff is bacteria and will help change the ammonia into nitrates.

Reab · Jul 1, 2018

The water changes wont have a negative impact on your system so continue them if you have the gumption, the chemipure blue is helping control your algae at this stage. The media binds the nutrients effectively removing it from the system and away from the algae. ATI test kits are alright but they are VERY inaccurate, redsea and salifert are much more reliable. The ATI will, hopefully, offer a ballpark answer but i have seen some test 0 nitrates and on a different, still ATI, measure upwards of 20. Most local stores will offer testing services, just be sure to ask what kits they use. Some offer it for free others its like a dollar each test.

Reab · Jul 1, 2018

Remember that as you reduce the nutrients in your tank there will be die-off of algae that will resupply the tank if you don't see your parameters changing be patient before finding a new answer. Also depending on where you got your rock from, it too could be releasing die off into the tank

Gary Ellis · Jul 1, 2018

Some have said,take the Chemipure out others say keep it in. So confusing... If Chemipure reduces nutrients won't that effect the coral growth? I don't show Ammonia. I used Dr Tims bacteria when I started up 2 months ago.

Reab · Jul 1, 2018

The nutrients that the media removes are not the same as the minerals required for growth. Corals get fuel for growth between food and photosynthesis

Gary Ellis · Jul 1, 2018

OK thanks for clearing that up for me...The Rox and Bioballs are out and the Chemipure is back in...I used the Chemipure for about 2 weeks and took it out and put it back in the jar it came in. I hope it's OK to reuse...