Tank smells horrible

[saltygoldfish]

So I have a 5.5 gal running for 2 weeks with 2 halloween crabs and tons of brown diatoms I can’t find one of the crabs but it just smells disgusting should I dig around in the sand? about 5 days ago I noticed the crabs legs missing but no crab and I figured it was molting well I think it died cause my sisters even like “omg when I walk past ur room I want to vomit” please help
btw I use this stuff that removes ammonia and i use prime daily

 

[PhilMStudy]

I always do a water change when I smell my tank but I haven’t had a nano before

 

[Bfragale]

look to see it if climbed out and is dead next to the tank?

 

[saltygoldfish]

look to see it if climbed out and is dead next to the tank?

I cleaned the glass with a sponge and the sponge smelled like it really strong so maybe that was it and I did. A 50% wc and the smell is gone for now.. my sister described it as sour milk almost and the crabs nowhere To be found I even lifted up my rocks

 

[Bouncingsoul39]

carbon like chemi-pure helps with any tank odors.

 

[saltygoldfish]

carbon like chemi-pure helps with any tank odors.

I don’t have that is there anything else I can use or do

 

[saltygoldfish]

I have regular carbon I don’t know if it’s only for fresh water or not

 

[fishface NJ]

You can use any carbon. Go to Petsmart or Petco

 

[Spare time]

What ammonia remover are you using? You want bacteria to handle that rather than a limited lifespan product. Ammonia removing medias should only be used for emergencies.

Also, the prime can make the tank smell sulfer-like.

 

[Wasabiroot]

Water change and carbon should help with the smell. Likely excessive organics. You can try to find the crab, but you will also stir up a lot of sediment and locked away detritus if you do so, so perhaps plan on a water change afterwards.

 

[saltygoldfish]

What ammonia remover are you using? You want bacteria to handle that rather than a limited lifespan product. Ammonia removing medias should only be used for emergencies.

Also, the prime can make the tank smell sulfer-like.

I’m using salt & fresh microbe lift starter bacteria and it states “rapidly removes ammonia and nitrite” it says use daily

 

[saltygoldfish]

And I’m using prime

 

[saltygoldfish]

Water change and carbon should help with the smell. Likely excessive organics. You can try to find the crab, but you will also stir up a lot of sediment and locked away detritus if you do so, so perhaps plan on a water change afterwards.

Ok wish me luck I’m gonna go and try to find him

 

[Bayareareefer18]

And I’m using prime

Prime smells like Sulphur

 

[MaxTremors]

I’m using salt & fresh microbe lift starter bacteria and it states “rapidly removes ammonia and nitrite” it says use daily

I would stop using any additives and add some carbon to your sump/filter and do a water change. By using products that neutralize bum ammonia you’re just prolonging your cycle/weakening your biological filtration. At two weeks in if you used bottled bacteria, your tank should be able to process a dead crab without too much of an ammonia spike. The water change and carbon should make it smell better. That said, your tank will always have an oceany/salty/slightly fishy smell.

 

[saltygoldfish]

I would stop using any additives and add some carbon to your sump/filter and do a water change. By using products that neutralize bum ammonia you’re just prolonging your cycle/weakening your biological filtration. At two weeks in if you used bottled bacteria, your tank should be able to process a dead crab without too much of an ammonia spike. The water change and carbon should make it smell better. That said, your tank will always have an oceany/salty/slightly fishy smell.

Ok I’ll stop using prime and stuff and it’s so weird I sifted the sand and I found nothing lol

 

[MaxTremors]

Ok I’ll stop using prime and stuff and it’s so weird I sifted the sand and I found nothing lol

Not even the shell it was in? Have you looked in your filter/sump?

 

[saltygoldfish]

Not even the shell it was in? Have you looked in your filter/sump?

Sorry I forgot to add the shell is in the tank just empty

 

[saltygoldfish]

Update i put fresh carbon In a filter media bag and put It in my hob filter and it has not helped with the smell at all

 

[Spare time]

I’m using salt & fresh microbe lift starter bacteria and it states “rapidly removes ammonia and nitrite” it says use daily

Ok that's good then! I was hoping you were doing that and not ammonia pads or something