Fish Room Odor?

[robertifly]

What if anything can I do to help with the "fish room" smell in the small room and adjacent hall of my house? I mean it is the normal smell I think, nothing smells bad just ocean, reef rock like, the room is small 12x14 ft. I run a ceiling fan most of the time in there which likely pushes out into the rest of the house. Do others or their spouse have the same complaint? I have only used fans to this point but that only distributes the problem, any suggestions? thanks

[toothman]

running ozone on a skimmer can be very ripe smelling. If this is not the case possibly too many nutrients or possibly add some carbon.

[THE GIMP]

I think if it smells like the ocean it is a good thing. Not like a dock or a fishing boat...........

Just a thought, would a dehumidifier help?

I could see it being a concern in a newer, air tight house.

[robertifly]

Well the house is 10yr old and I guess you would consider it fairly tight. No the smell is more ocean and not fish boat as it is not offensive except when I'm emptying the skimmer cup hehe. A dehumidifier may help tho.

[hahnmeister]

I plumb a 1/2" hose into the lid of my protein skimmers (and plug the other holes) which allows me to run all the smelly air outside. This helps alot. Otherwise, keeping salt splash to a minimum, and keeping the area above the tank well ventilated to the outside (yet blocked off from the rest of the house), is key.

[DB06]

Try running some carbon if you are not already. Empty your skimmer collection cup more frequently, as that is most likely where it is concentrated. Lastly, make sure nothing has died.

If that doesn't work....febreze.....but not in/around your tank

[robertifly]

hahnmeister, the 1/2" hose I can picture but do you mean "keeping the area above the tank well ventilated to the outside" as like one of those bathroom power vents?
DB06, I don't run any carbon but I think I should be, how to? Like with a canister filter w/carbon or in a bag just lying in the sump or what?

[DB06]

The best way is in a reactor that pumps the water thru it ....check out the 2 Little Fishies Phosban reactor (or something similar). Lots of folks use this for their carbon. Will require a small power head. I use a MJ400 to run two of these, one with carbon the other with phosban. More than enough flow.

[robertifly]

Thanks DB06, and how often should those media be changed? Assuming the bio load makes that determination correct? Mine would be light.

[DB06]

You will get different opinions on that, depending on tank variables. However, generally speaking, if you run carbon 24/7, it will normally last approx 3-4 weeks before it starts breaking down. I replace mine every 3 weeks.

Phosban will last longer. I replace mine every 2 months.

DB

[hahnmeister]

Originally posted by robertifly
hahnmeister, the 1/2" hose I can picture but do you mean "keeping the area above the tank well ventilated to the outside" as like one of those bathroom power vents?
DB06, I don't run any carbon but I think I should be, how to? Like with a canister filter w/carbon or in a bag just lying in the sump or what?

All summer long I run a 4" duct to a window panel to blow the hot and steamy air outside with a 100cfm 120cm fan. It also cuts down the heat into the house, saving my A/C. All winter, the top and back of my canopy is skinned in aluminum, and I just turn off the fans. The heat transfers to the room still (the room is alot cooler so it wont overheat), but the humidity/smell is contained.

[robertifly]

Thanks for the answers.
DB06, I'll have to search for a place to install the reactors they'll have to be very accessible with those kind of changes. I've run out of space under the stand so hang on back of the tank or stand is all that is left.

hahnmeister, do you mean the 4" duct is attached to the light canopy and then is run out to a window panel?

[hahnmeister]

yes

[BeanAnimal]

Small? I am not sure if there is a room in my house that is bigger than 12'x14'!

If you are going to purchase a fan, you may want to look into the panasonic fans. They (panasonic) makes top of the line bathroom fans that are quiet and reliable.

[robertifly]

Thanks for the guidance, I will try the carbon reactors first then maybe a vent fan, I'm a little concerned with pulling the controlled temp. out of the room with a vent in the ceiling (I don't use a canopy hood) but that maybe the only recourse which would help with humidity issues also.

[Zifer]

carbon does help alot

[cward]

Originally posted by BeanAnimal
If you are going to purchase a fan, you may want to look into the panasonic fans. They (panasonic) makes top of the line bathroom fans that are quiet and reliable.

I had great luck with my Panasonic fan and let it run 24/7. You could also put it on a timer, or even run it with a controller.

[BeanAnimal]

I should mention that they also make good inline fans that can be placed inline with your vent tubing and OUTSIDE of the room. This is great for keeping noise down.

There is a guy on eBay who sells them factory direct at great prices.

[robertifly]

From the amount of response with remedies I sense I am not the only person who is interested in this type of problem. Thanks for the comments. Glad I'm not the only one(:
I will try at least two suggestions first:
1. Run some carbon in a reactor
2. Try emptying the skimmer collection cup more often
3. As for the vent, I have a couple of ideas how to do that without adding a new fixture into the ceiling
a. there are recessed lighting can in the ceiling I may be able to pull air through
b. there is a non vented fireplace in the corner next to the tank (never run it, too hot) I may use to pull air through