Air Freshener for smell?

jasper24 · 03/09/2006, 08:10 AM

My tank had been up for almost a year without a skimmer with no problems. I had a little extra money come in and decided why not try one. I bought a Coralife Super Skimmer and it works great. The issue is now that the dark green/brown gunk that the skimmer pulls out smells like ... I can't describe it but it is bad. They should make people drink it on Fear Factor. Anyway does anyone use any type of stick on air freshener under their stand? Would it be harmful? The smell is not that bad until I go to dump the skimmer cup but I do get a whiff everytime I open the stand doors.

Paintbug · 03/09/2006, 09:02 AM

i was using a Glade air freshener, the one with a built in fan. it really knocked out the smell from the skimmate. i didnt notice any ill effects on the tank, but i dont have a door on the front of mine. so i wouldnt get a build up of the chemical from the air freshener.

jasper24 · 03/09/2006, 09:05 AM

It is not real bad so maybe I will try a scented candle. Some of them smell really nice even unlit.

ErikS · 03/09/2006, 10:08 AM

Try putting some kalk or baking soda in the collection cup....or.....putting a bag of carbon over the vent holes in the lid of the collection cup.

"better living through chemicals" would be my last choice.

Reef'in Colorado · 03/09/2006, 11:03 AM

Plug in type air freshners are the #1 cause of house fires, I would try carbon or baking soda as ErikS suggested.

jeffbrig · 03/09/2006, 11:31 AM

Kalk in the skimmer cup is what I do. It makes a TREMENDOUS difference in the smell of the skimmate.

Dubbin1 · 03/09/2006, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Reef'in Colorado
Plug in type air freshners are the #1 cause of house fires

LOL now thats funny

FYI "Cooking is the #1 cause of house fires in the U.S. and also the leading cause of home fire-related injuries."

jasper24 · 03/09/2006, 11:37 AM

Cool. Thanks folks!

RichConley · 03/09/2006, 11:49 AM

A lot of the issue wiht the plugins are the pass-through types with the outlet on them. People try to plug real appliances into them, and theyre not rated for real load.

davocean · 03/09/2006, 01:13 PM

I love the smell of skimate in the morning!
Smells like VICTORY!!

Kinetic · 03/09/2006, 01:30 PM

you also put carbon directly inside the skimmer collection cup.

Zach117 · 03/09/2006, 01:41 PM

The description you are looking for is it "smells like a turd covered in burnt hair."

Portable Oust Fan- runs off batteries- I love em!

Dubbin1 · 03/09/2006, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RichConley
A lot of the issue wiht the plugins are the pass-through types with the outlet on them. People try to plug real appliances into them, and theyre not rated for real load.

Urban Legend http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/household/glade.asp

OldmillXxX · 03/09/2006, 11:08 PM

What does the kalk do? Put it in dry?

jeffbrig · 03/09/2006, 11:26 PM

Yep, I use about 1 tsp in my large skimmer cup (holds over a gallon). I skim wet, so the kalk powder dissolves as the skimmate collects. Just like in water, the kalk elevates the pH. This inhibits the growth of the bacteria that break down the organic skimmate and produce the foul odor. It knocks the smell down from "I'm about to gag" to simply "unpleasant".

Kinetic · 03/10/2006, 12:56 AM

would it be even better to throw some activated carbon granuels in there too?

hllywd · 03/10/2006, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Reef'in Colorado
Plug in type air freshners are the #1 cause of house fires, I would try carbon or baking soda as ErikS suggested.

Better check your sources... I'd think SC Johnson would consider that a libelous statement since it's completely untrue.

As for the question here: air freshener??? C'mon....

Empty the skimmer cup more often. Problem solved.

03/09/2006, 09:02 AM	#2
Paintbug Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Stoneville, NC Posts: 6,169	i was using a Glade air freshener, the one with a built in fan. it really knocked out the smell from the skimmate. i didnt notice any ill effects on the tank, but i dont have a door on the front of mine. so i wouldnt get a build up of the chemical from the air freshener. __________________ Never ask a girl over to see your crabs!! <-Tony-> Current Tank Info: NONE currently

03/09/2006, 10:08 AM	#4
ErikS Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: VA Posts: 2,199	Try putting some kalk or baking soda in the collection cup....or.....putting a bag of carbon over the vent holes in the lid of the collection cup. "better living through chemicals" would be my last choice. __________________ It's just my opinion & it's worth exactly what you paid for it

03/09/2006, 11:31 AM	#6
jeffbrig Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL Posts: 5,548	Kalk in the skimmer cup is what I do. It makes a TREMENDOUS difference in the smell of the skimmate. __________________ Beware the power of stupid people in large groups..... Current Tank Info: formerly 250g room divider

03/09/2006, 11:49 AM	#9
RichConley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC Posts: 9,908	A lot of the issue wiht the plugins are the pass-through types with the outlet on them. People try to plug real appliances into them, and theyre not rated for real load. __________________ NO TANKS!!!

03/09/2006, 01:13 PM	#10
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	I love the smell of skimate in the morning! Smells like VICTORY!! __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

03/09/2006, 08:10 AM	#1
jasper24 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 2,120	Air Freshener for smell? My tank had been up for almost a year without a skimmer with no problems. I had a little extra money come in and decided why not try one. I bought a Coralife Super Skimmer and it works great. The issue is now that the dark green/brown gunk that the skimmer pulls out smells like ... I can't describe it but it is bad. They should make people drink it on Fear Factor. Anyway does anyone use any type of stick on air freshener under their stand? Would it be harmful? The smell is not that bad until I go to dump the skimmer cup but I do get a whiff everytime I open the stand doors.

03/09/2006, 09:05 AM	#3
jasper24 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 2,120	It is not real bad so maybe I will try a scented candle. Some of them smell really nice even unlit.

03/09/2006, 11:03 AM	#5
Reef'in Colorado Reefer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Frederick, Co. Posts: 934	Plug in type air freshners are the #1 cause of house fires, I would try carbon or baking soda as ErikS suggested.

03/09/2006, 11:37 AM	#8
jasper24 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 2,120	Cool. Thanks folks!

03/09/2006, 01:30 PM	#11
Kinetic Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 7,230	you also put carbon directly inside the skimmer collection cup.

03/09/2006, 01:41 PM	#12
Zach117 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Dallas Posts: 319	The description you are looking for is it "smells like a turd covered in burnt hair." Portable Oust Fan- runs off batteries- I love em!

03/09/2006, 11:08 PM	#14
OldmillXxX Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: West-Central, Wisconsin (right on the Mississippi) Posts: 438	What does the kalk do? Put it in dry? __________________ A reef isn't just for oceans anymore... Current Tank Info: Gearing up for my 180 build!

03/09/2006, 11:26 PM	#15
jeffbrig Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL Posts: 5,548	Yep, I use about 1 tsp in my large skimmer cup (holds over a gallon). I skim wet, so the kalk powder dissolves as the skimmate collects. Just like in water, the kalk elevates the pH. This inhibits the growth of the bacteria that break down the organic skimmate and produce the foul odor. It knocks the smell down from "I'm about to gag" to simply "unpleasant". __________________ Beware the power of stupid people in large groups..... Current Tank Info: formerly 250g room divider

03/10/2006, 12:56 AM	#16
Kinetic Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 7,230	would it be even better to throw some activated carbon granuels in there too?