Problem Setting Up New Tank

[589213]

I'm fairly new to keeping tropical fish having started with a bi-orb. I've just started to set up my first tank and something doesnt seem right. Some advice would really be appreciated.

I brought a Pearl 80 bowfront, filled it with tap water, put the desired amount of fish safe chemical in and left the unit with the filter and heater switched on. After a day or so a strong pungent smell started to emit from the aquarium. It seems a lot worse when the lights are on. I left the tank as it was and took a ph sample after five days which read circa 8.0.

As the smell was quite bad I emptied the tank and have started again with a different fish safe chemical as i wondered if that was the problem. However I'm starting to get the same pungent smell again. Please can you advise me if this is normal or if not, a possible cause.

Much appreciated.

 

[bobf]

Something definately amiss here...

Sounds like there's something decomposing or else some kinda chemical reaction.

Is this a new setup (as opposed to a second hand one, I mean)?

What is in the tank - gravel/sand? is it new/clean? (not fish, hopefully?) any plants?

heater - what temp?

Filter - is the filter new/clean?

Can you take the heater out and try it in a sepate bucket of water for a couple of hours - see if the tank or the bucket is the one that stinks?

 

[589213]

Thanks for your reply:

Its a new tank with pre-washed gravel. New artificial plants (cloth type) and no fish. Filter and heater are integral to tank. Heater temperature is 25deg.

 

[bobf]

Thanks for your reply:

Its a new tank with pre-washed gravel. New artificial plants (cloth type) and no fish. Filter and heater are integral to tank. Heater temperature is 25deg.

Then it can only be the water, the stuff you've added or something getting warm that shouldn't do?

Is there any possibility that the heater is not fully submerged below the water level, or in contact with something it shouldn't be?

From your comments it might also be the light heating something or some evaporation caused by heat from the light?

Can you try it without the light for 24hrs then maybe with the light on but heater off for a bit, see if you can isolate the cause. maybe also try without the tapsafe/water conditioner to begin with also?

Is the top feeling hot?