Ok guys - need a little advice here.
I've recently set up a 5 gal tank for my other half - my 5th tank so far, so i've been here before. Starting to have problems with the water quality.
The tank, and everything in it, is new - with the exception of the canister filter I have on it - a Fluval 203 (rated around 30 gal). The 203 was on a 30 gal tank taking good care of my Texas, so a fairly light load, but established for months. I put a new 204 on the 30, and took the 203 and put it on the 5.
Two days into the run - my 5 smells like it's got a dead frog in it. The sole occupant of the 5 at the moment is a syno cat - a tiny squeaker - he's happily bumbling about in there - looks fine. Ammonia is zero - same for NO2 - NO3 is very low. KH - GH - Ph is fine - no probs on any readings - jusy murky water and this smell (I can smell it 4 ft away with the lid on). If this keeps up - I'll pull the syno out just to be safe - and nuke the tank.
The only thing I can think of is...... the 203 was off overnight while I set up the new tank. Do filters go "rotten" if left off for 16 hours ? I did clean it out quite well - but the pipes etc may well have had residue, as I left it full of water while at rest. (Cleaned the can out - ran it again for 4 days on the 30 - pulled the can and left overnight - an attempt to keep it cycled).
The tank glass is a bit 'slippery' - so somethings not right here.
I've recently set up a 5 gal tank for my other half - my 5th tank so far, so i've been here before. Starting to have problems with the water quality.
The tank, and everything in it, is new - with the exception of the canister filter I have on it - a Fluval 203 (rated around 30 gal). The 203 was on a 30 gal tank taking good care of my Texas, so a fairly light load, but established for months. I put a new 204 on the 30, and took the 203 and put it on the 5.
Two days into the run - my 5 smells like it's got a dead frog in it. The sole occupant of the 5 at the moment is a syno cat - a tiny squeaker - he's happily bumbling about in there - looks fine. Ammonia is zero - same for NO2 - NO3 is very low. KH - GH - Ph is fine - no probs on any readings - jusy murky water and this smell (I can smell it 4 ft away with the lid on). If this keeps up - I'll pull the syno out just to be safe - and nuke the tank.
The only thing I can think of is...... the 203 was off overnight while I set up the new tank. Do filters go "rotten" if left off for 16 hours ? I did clean it out quite well - but the pipes etc may well have had residue, as I left it full of water while at rest. (Cleaned the can out - ran it again for 4 days on the 30 - pulled the can and left overnight - an attempt to keep it cycled).
The tank glass is a bit 'slippery' - so somethings not right here.
