Why is my skimmer so stinky???

[Chortanator]

I've been usinh my skimmer for about 5 months, it was used and came with the tank but never put it in since then. I was having issues with it overflowing so I took it out and scrubbed out the coralline. Now I'm getting way less skimmate, and the smell is so awful that it stinks up the entire basement like something is rotting on the beach. Even with a full cup of relatively dry skimmate, it never smelled this bad before. What should I do?

 

[Chrisv.]

People used to rig activated carbon contraptions that the outflowing air could come out of (think a fancy life with carbon in the top). I haven't seen these recently though.

 

[ScubaFish802]

You could try putting carbon over the air vent maybe, other than that, more frequent cleaning is the only thing I can think of

 

[Chortanator]

I have a Bubble Mag with holes all around the top of the skimmer cup lid. Do I have to make sure each one is covered by the carbon?

 

[ScubaFish802]

I have a Bubble Mag with holes all around the top of the skimmer cup lid. Do I have to make sure each one is covered by the carbon?

I'm not sure how viable the carbon idea really is, but when I used to work at a warehouse way back, I would put these carbon things in my shoes after work, then rotate them out and put the used ones out in the sun for a day or two. This was pretty good at clearing out my shoes.. lol
No experience for a fishtank though

 

[Chrisv.]

I have a Bubble Mag with holes all around the top of the skimmer cup lid. Do I have to make sure each one is covered by the carbon?

Yes (any air that isn't carbon filtered will...not be carbon filtered).

 

[Chortanator]

I'm not sure how viable the carbon idea really is, but when I used to work at a warehouse way back, I would put these carbon things in my shoes after work, then rotate them out and put the used ones out in the sun for a day or two. This was pretty good at clearing out my shoes.. lol
No experience for a fishtank though

I'll give it a look! Are they dusty? Should I rinse them? I have a coral beauty so I don't want it to get HLLE

 

[ScubaFish802]

I'll give it a look! Are they dusty? Should I rinse them? I have a coral beauty so I don't want it to get HLLE

You could probably do it cheaper by buying the cheap activated carbon off amazon or whatever and putting it in pantyhose or some fine netting.. the ones I linked weren't dusty, but they were not food safe (that I am aware of) so I can't really give any advice there

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I swear I JUST saw an ad for something like this... A skimmer top that had carbon built in, but I can't find it now.


This may help... https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/content/post/md-2015-01-fix-skimmer-smell-with-a-carbon-filter-pad

(And if not, try these )

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

New Product Announcement: StinkSink Skimmer Odor Filter

ReefEco Launches the StinkSink, a Skimmer Odor Carbon Filter Most of us aquarists at some point have experienced the waft of fish poop from our tank stand, conveniently reaching its apex just when guests stop by for a visit - or the stink bomb from an opened cabinet because we just can’t get to...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[ReefEco]

Thanks @Erin1971 - if you are experiencing skimmer stink, check out the StinkSink! https://reefeco.com/pages/stinksink

 

[Chortanator]

Thanks @Erin1971 - if you are experiencing skimmer stink, check out the StinkSink! https://reefeco.com/pages/stinksink

You guys don't ship to Canada

 

[ReefEco]

You guys don't ship to Canada

Hey Chortanator - we do now! Apologies - it was set up to ship to Canada, but there was another setting in the store that had to be changed.

 

[Chortanator]

Hey Chortanator - we do now! Apologies - it was set up to ship to Canada, but there was another setting in the store that had to be changed.

I can select Canada from the drop-down menu at checkout but after I add my address I get this error message

 

[ReefEco]

Ok, let me figure out why this isn't working - thanks for your patience. More soon.

 

[ReefEco]

Ok - I think you should be able to use UPS Standard shipping now to Canada. Thanks for your perseverance - I'll give you a little extra discount on your order for the headache : )