Hey i have two 55 gallon tanks...one wiht an oscar and orange pike...and the other with two jacks an eyebiter and a green terror...i dont know why but the 2nd tank smells awful, i got two penguin filters with brand new filters in em and i do about 2water changes weekly cleaning the gravel in the process yet the tank still smells like crap...can anyone help me out???
The Smell...
- Thread starter Pokorny
- Start date
Water change more.
What are you feeding the fish? Foods that are very rich and high in protien give fish "dirtier" poop which requires more feeding. Adding feeder goldfish (guppies etc) to the tank may also crash your system, upset the natural balance of the nitrogen cycle, and reset your entire tank back to dirty, nasty icky. Try feeding a cichlid pellet and making sure it is done moderately. I like the Hikari or Wardly brands. Cichlid pellets have a bit more fiber in them, which will stimulate digestion more and flush out the fish's systems. Use feeder goldfish or guppies as a once a week treat.
Brand new filters do not have enough beneficial bacteria on them to help reduce ammonia to nitrite to nitrate, which is why all the poop is building up in your tank and making it smelly.
The best thing is just to continue doing water changes, and perhaps do daily changes on the carbon in your filters. Activated carbon can help remove smells from the water, but it is obviously getting used up quickly if your tank is smelling that badly.
What are you feeding the fish? Foods that are very rich and high in protien give fish "dirtier" poop which requires more feeding. Adding feeder goldfish (guppies etc) to the tank may also crash your system, upset the natural balance of the nitrogen cycle, and reset your entire tank back to dirty, nasty icky. Try feeding a cichlid pellet and making sure it is done moderately. I like the Hikari or Wardly brands. Cichlid pellets have a bit more fiber in them, which will stimulate digestion more and flush out the fish's systems. Use feeder goldfish or guppies as a once a week treat.
Brand new filters do not have enough beneficial bacteria on them to help reduce ammonia to nitrite to nitrate, which is why all the poop is building up in your tank and making it smelly.
The best thing is just to continue doing water changes, and perhaps do daily changes on the carbon in your filters. Activated carbon can help remove smells from the water, but it is obviously getting used up quickly if your tank is smelling that badly.
If you use feeders, don't use goldfish. They carry some nasty stuff that other fish aren't immune to. Feeder guppies, mollies, and bugs are always better. Carbon is a good way too. Thats a good way to get the smell out fast. Colesea is also right on the Hikari brand thing. I feed my oscars that and it helps with their tract function. Colesea is so smart, ain't she?
i have nothing constructive to offer, other than to say that my goldfish tank also smells...even though I do loottts of maintenance on it. The good part? It smells like fresh CORN! 
It really honest-to-buddha smells like ears of corn! It smells great! Sometimes I just walk by, lift the hood, and take a big whiff no really...
It really honest-to-buddha smells like ears of corn! It smells great! Sometimes I just walk by, lift the hood, and take a big whiff no really...
Originally posted by Leopardess
i have nothing constructive to offer, other than to say that my goldfish tank also smells...even though I do loottts of maintenance on it. The good part? It smells like fresh CORN! It really honest-to-buddha smells like ears of corn! It smells great! Sometimes I just walk by, lift the hood, and take a big whiff no really...
i have nothing constructive to offer, other than to say that my goldfish tank also smells...even though I do loottts of maintenance on it. The good part? It smells like fresh CORN!
It really honest-to-buddha smells like ears of corn! It smells great! Sometimes I just walk by, lift the hood, and take a big whiff no really...
I take a whiffs of my cichlid's tank with a lot of plants. It smells wonderful - like a greenhouse.
It helps when there's good circulation, too. When there isn't enough circulation (usually because the air stone is clogged) my other tanks get smelly but when I fix the aeration, the smelliness goes away.
It helps when there's good circulation, too. When there isn't enough circulation (usually because the air stone is clogged) my other tanks get smelly but when I fix the aeration, the smelliness goes away.
