Help with Sulfur smell

blmeier7 · 07/05/2006, 05:40 PM

I just noticed a very strong sulfur smell that is coming from my tank within the last hour. All fish, corals, and anemone are accounted for. Has anyone had experience with this or have any ideas?
Thanks in advance

BreadmanMike · 07/05/2006, 05:52 PM

Check your sand, I'm betting that's where the smell is coming from.

affan · 07/05/2006, 06:19 PM

Sulfur smell (or more commonly referred to as rotten eggs smell) is usually the result of Hydrogen Sulfide pockets forming in your sand around "dead spots." Did you recently disturb your sandbed? Moved any rocks that were resting on the sand etc?

My 4 inch sandbed rests on an inch of eggcrate for precisely this reason.

jdieck · 07/05/2006, 06:32 PM

Are you sure is the water and not the skimmer vent?
Skimmer air can really have that hydrogen suplphide smell. if that it is. you have an option to add an activated air filter to the air output. Some pople put a small amount of bleach in the collection cup so the skimmate does not smell as bad.

blmeier7 · 07/05/2006, 07:57 PM

Thanks for the replys guys.

I did siphon my sandbed this last weekend during my water change. I only siphon the top 1/4"-1/2" monthly, but this could have been enough to disturb a pocket.

The smell has now gone. I did add a bag of carbon to the tank. As far as the skimmer, I empty the collection cup 2-3 times per week and the smell didn't seem to be coming from the skimmate.

I didn't realize this much odor could come from a pocket in the sand. This literally made the whole house smell like sulfur.

Thanks again for the info.

07/05/2006, 05:40 PM	#1
blmeier7 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Amarillo, TX Posts: 433	Help with Sulfur smell I just noticed a very strong sulfur smell that is coming from my tank within the last hour. All fish, corals, and anemone are accounted for. Has anyone had experience with this or have any ideas? Thanks in advance

07/05/2006, 06:32 PM	#4
jdieck Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Maumee, OH Posts: 15,673	Are you sure is the water and not the skimmer vent? Skimmer air can really have that hydrogen suplphide smell. if that it is. you have an option to add an activated air filter to the air output. Some pople put a small amount of bleach in the collection cup so the skimmate does not smell as bad. __________________ Did I write what I wrote? What the heck am I talking about! Well..... Nevermind. Current Tank Info: 225 gal reef, DSB, 40 g sump w/ LRT100 return, 37 g pre-sump, 3 MH 250 W 15K, 4 96 W PC dual actinic,ETS 1500 Skim.w/LRT70, 20 lb Ca R., 40 W UV, 1/3 HP chiller, two 350 W Htrs, Neptune II Cont., 330 P LR/ 330 P LS. 55 gal Refugium

07/05/2006, 05:52 PM	#2
BreadmanMike Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,886	Check your sand, I'm betting that's where the smell is coming from.

07/05/2006, 06:19 PM	#3
affan Moved On Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: From NYC, currently serving time in Hattiesburg, MS Posts: 1,125	Sulfur smell (or more commonly referred to as rotten eggs smell) is usually the result of Hydrogen Sulfide pockets forming in your sand around "dead spots." Did you recently disturb your sandbed? Moved any rocks that were resting on the sand etc? My 4 inch sandbed rests on an inch of eggcrate for precisely this reason.

07/05/2006, 07:57 PM	#5
blmeier7 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Amarillo, TX Posts: 433	Thanks for the replys guys. I did siphon my sandbed this last weekend during my water change. I only siphon the top 1/4"-1/2" monthly, but this could have been enough to disturb a pocket. The smell has now gone. I did add a bag of carbon to the tank. As far as the skimmer, I empty the collection cup 2-3 times per week and the smell didn't seem to be coming from the skimmate. I didn't realize this much odor could come from a pocket in the sand. This literally made the whole house smell like sulfur. Thanks again for the info.