Water change "ocean" smell?

DustinS85 · 02/22/2015, 05:55 PM

I did a water change, and I noticed a "Ocean" smell during the change. The best way to describe it would be the low tide smell you get in the southern coastal states. I noticed that the sides of my tank have a lot of brown (easy to brush off) as well. I took pictures of the brown before and here it is:

FraggledRock · 02/22/2015, 06:04 PM

Do you have dead spots in the tank? How often you change water? Anything died recently?

FraggledRock · 02/22/2015, 06:06 PM

The brown is normal buildup. Itll come every three days or so, that wont cause a smell.

Anyway whats wrong with low tide? Lol jk as long as it doesn't smell normally you're ok

JammyBirch · 02/22/2015, 06:47 PM

I get the same thing, if you really want to be grossed out, smell a live rock. I think it has to do with the nutrients in the water from the change sitting still. My tank or living room never smells until I drain the fuge during a water change.

DustinS85 · 02/22/2015, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FraggledRock

Do you have dead spots in the tank? How often you change water? Anything died recently?

I don't think I have dead spots personally, but I wouldn't know how to know for sure. I change water bi-weekly. Nothing died.

alexander_ktn · 02/23/2015, 07:31 AM

I agree that the smell is most certainly from the algae on the glass being exposed to the air.

As long as you don't smell rotten eggs I doubt it's cause for concern.

jeperry3 · 02/23/2015, 08:31 AM

I get that smell from my skimmer sometimes, particularly if I forget to empty the junk from the collection jug.

moneymm · 02/23/2015, 09:11 AM

i had similar smell all the time. It turns out i had some dropped some pellets or flakes from time to time and that stuff can really stink up the joint

Dmorty217 · 02/23/2015, 09:44 AM

That smell is normal, take some rock out of your tank while trying to catch a fish and let me know how the "ocean" smell is... Brown stuff is algae and is also normal

ardsman · 02/23/2015, 10:36 AM

Personally I love that smell! I lived by the sea for years and now I am far far away from it and it reminds me of home!

DustinS85 · 02/26/2015, 10:20 AM

Phew! I was worried there was an issue.

FraggledRock · 02/26/2015, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dmorty217

That smell is normal, take some rock out of your tank while trying to catch a fish and let me know how the "ocean" smell is... Brown stuff is algae and is also normal

haha yea, i took a rock out recently from my sump, and boy oh boy was it low tide at the piers that night LOL

02/22/2015, 05:55 PM	#1
DustinS85 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Elyria, OH Posts: 88	Water change "ocean" smell? I did a water change, and I noticed a "Ocean" smell during the change. The best way to describe it would be the low tide smell you get in the southern coastal states. I noticed that the sides of my tank have a lot of brown (easy to brush off) as well. I took pictures of the brown before and here it is: Last edited by DustinS85; 02/22/2015 at 05:56 PM. Reason: space

02/22/2015, 06:04 PM	#2
FraggledRock Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: New York, New York Posts: 2,185	Do you have dead spots in the tank? How often you change water? Anything died recently? __________________ “For most of history, man has had to fight nature to survive; in this century he is beginning to realize that, in order to survive, he must protect it.”― Jacques-Yves Cousteau MarineBio.org Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon Breeder w/ Bean Animal Overflow 20G Sump, Mixed Reef.

02/22/2015, 06:06 PM	#3
FraggledRock Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: New York, New York Posts: 2,185	The brown is normal buildup. Itll come every three days or so, that wont cause a smell. Anyway whats wrong with low tide? Lol jk as long as it doesn't smell normally you're ok __________________ “For most of history, man has had to fight nature to survive; in this century he is beginning to realize that, in order to survive, he must protect it.”― Jacques-Yves Cousteau MarineBio.org Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon Breeder w/ Bean Animal Overflow 20G Sump, Mixed Reef.

02/22/2015, 06:47 PM	#4
JammyBirch Aquaria Engineering Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Elkland, PA Posts: 1,182	I get the same thing, if you really want to be grossed out, smell a live rock. I think it has to do with the nutrients in the water from the change sitting still. My tank or living room never smells until I drain the fuge during a water change. __________________ 25g cube, split 10g sump with refugium, Jebao RW4, reefbreeder value Livestock adds: Osc Clowns, Royal Gramma, Pygmy Cherub Angel, Skunk Cleaner Shrimp, Serpent Brittle Star Current Tank Info: 25 gallon cube

02/23/2015, 09:11 AM	#8
moneymm Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 548	i had similar smell all the time. It turns out i had some dropped some pellets or flakes from time to time and that stuff can really stink up the joint __________________ 45 Gallon Bow DT - Lifereef Berlin Sump/Skimmer - 36" ATI Dimmable Sunpower 4 x 39W Phantom Clown, Ocellaris Cown, 10 Snails, 4 Hermit Crabs

02/23/2015, 07:31 AM	#6
alexander_ktn Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Austria Posts: 851	I agree that the smell is most certainly from the algae on the glass being exposed to the air. As long as you don't smell rotten eggs I doubt it's cause for concern.

02/23/2015, 08:31 AM	#7
jeperry3 Old Fossil Join Date: May 2002 Location: Alabama Posts: 148	I get that smell from my skimmer sometimes, particularly if I forget to empty the junk from the collection jug.

02/23/2015, 09:44 AM	#9
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	That smell is normal, take some rock out of your tank while trying to catch a fish and let me know how the "ocean" smell is... Brown stuff is algae and is also normal __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

02/23/2015, 10:36 AM	#10
ardsman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: ks Posts: 127	Personally I love that smell! I lived by the sea for years and now I am far far away from it and it reminds me of home! __________________ a wise man learns from his mistakes. a truly wise man learns from others mistakes! Current Tank Info: 67g rr, 30g sump, rlssr6i skimmer, Dsuny LED's Apex controller

02/26/2015, 10:20 AM	#11
DustinS85 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Elyria, OH Posts: 88	Phew! I was worried there was an issue.