My water reeks!

Shrimplady · 10/10/2016, 08:11 AM

I just cycled 4 of my tanks of water and they smell really bad. There aren't any animals in them yet, so my concern is mold. They contain a sponge filter, the substrate is oyster shells (2 in) on the bottom, airstones, and a heater. Has this happened to you at all?

thanks,
Sam

gone fishin · 10/10/2016, 08:20 AM

If your cycling/ curing your rock then it is not uncommon to get a low tide smell. Once it is complete then it should clear up.

Nice to see someone kind of local, welcome to the forum.

gone fishin · 10/10/2016, 08:23 AM

You my want to reconsider the use of the oyster shells and instead use some aragonite sand. The shells can eventually hold a lot of detritus causing issues down the road.

GimpyFin · 10/10/2016, 09:01 AM

I agree with Tony. If it were me I'd probaly get rid of the oyster shells and do an aragonite type sand. They could contributing to your smell, but I'm not certain. Never really had smelly water except when breaking down old tanks and some stuff was sitting for a while or curing rock. Aragonite is also good in that it helps keep ph stable.

ssick92 · 10/10/2016, 09:21 AM

I agree with above. The oyster shells may be fine for a while but in the long run it will cause you a lot of headache once you need to start cleaning it out every weekend, especially if it is in 4 tanks...

The smell is probably due to new rocks, or too low of flow causing stagnant water and bacteria buildup.

Shrimplady · 10/10/2016, 10:38 AM

This is for an experimental challenge, I agree the oyster shells are not the best. We might keep the bacterial tanks separate and consider using bioballs instead. Thoughts?

Also, thanks for the warm welcome

mcgyvr · 10/10/2016, 12:03 PM

Airstones, sponge filters, bioballs, oyster shells..
Welcome back to the 70s

GimpyFin · 10/10/2016, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Airstones, sponge filters, bioballs, oyster shells..
Welcome back to the 70s

sde1500 · 10/10/2016, 12:23 PM

you sound like my wife after I do water changes lol

Shrimplady · 10/10/2016, 02:11 PM

haha ahhh MY LIFE as a graduate student

panhandler01 · 10/10/2016, 02:53 PM

i agree with everyone in regards to the oyster shells. Is there any way that you could put a couple of mesh bags of carbon in your filtration system somewhere? I had problems with tank odor once and putting carbon bags in my sump just prior to the return pump section took care of the problem.

10/10/2016, 08:11 AM	#1
Shrimplady Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Madison WI Posts: 13	My water reeks! I just cycled 4 of my tanks of water and they smell really bad. There aren't any animals in them yet, so my concern is mold. They contain a sponge filter, the substrate is oyster shells (2 in) on the bottom, airstones, and a heater. Has this happened to you at all? thanks, Sam

10/10/2016, 08:20 AM	#2
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	If your cycling/ curing your rock then it is not uncommon to get a low tide smell. Once it is complete then it should clear up. Nice to see someone kind of local, welcome to the forum. __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

10/10/2016, 08:23 AM	#3
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	You my want to reconsider the use of the oyster shells and instead use some aragonite sand. The shells can eventually hold a lot of detritus causing issues down the road. __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

10/10/2016, 09:01 AM	#4
GimpyFin Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,032	I agree with Tony. If it were me I'd probaly get rid of the oyster shells and do an aragonite type sand. They could contributing to your smell, but I'm not certain. Never really had smelly water except when breaking down old tanks and some stuff was sitting for a while or curing rock. Aragonite is also good in that it helps keep ph stable. __________________ Brian Current Tank Info: 110 gallon

10/10/2016, 09:21 AM	#5
ssick92 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: San Clemente, CA Posts: 911	I agree with above. The oyster shells may be fine for a while but in the long run it will cause you a lot of headache once you need to start cleaning it out every weekend, especially if it is in 4 tanks... The smell is probably due to new rocks, or too low of flow causing stagnant water and bacteria buildup. __________________ John IM Nuvo 10g Mixed Reef Nano \| Kessil A160we \| Mp10QD \| Osmolator Nano

10/10/2016, 10:38 AM	#6
Shrimplady Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Madison WI Posts: 13	This is for an experimental challenge, I agree the oyster shells are not the best. We might keep the bacterial tanks separate and consider using bioballs instead. Thoughts? Also, thanks for the warm welcome

10/10/2016, 12:03 PM	#7
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Airstones, sponge filters, bioballs, oyster shells.. Welcome back to the 70s __________________ Who me?

10/10/2016, 12:23 PM	#9
sde1500 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Glocester, RI Posts: 3,336	you sound like my wife after I do water changes lol __________________ My build thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2548422 Current Tank Info: 65 gallon mixed reef, Eshopps sump and HOB overflow, RO-110int skimmer, Reefbreeder 32" photons V1.

10/10/2016, 02:11 PM	#10
Shrimplady Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Madison WI Posts: 13	haha ahhh MY LIFE as a graduate student

10/10/2016, 02:53 PM	#11
panhandler01 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 131	i agree with everyone in regards to the oyster shells. Is there any way that you could put a couple of mesh bags of carbon in your filtration system somewhere? I had problems with tank odor once and putting carbon bags in my sump just prior to the return pump section took care of the problem. __________________ The only good aiptasia.....is a dead aiptasia! Current Tank Info: 75 gal. mixed reef, (4) 48" T5, Coralife Cone skimmer,30 gal sump, GFO reactor, Biopellet reactor, Jebao RW-8