Smell

[jase]

I've just bought some live rock for my tank, it's been in there a few days now and is starting to smell really strong and the top of the water is thick and slimy. Is this normal and how can I stop it smelling so bad ?

Cheers guys.

 

[n3ont3tra]

I'm assuming it is uncured live rock. The smell should go away within a few weeks, but in the meantime maybe you should try to pull off some dead stuff if you see any.

 

[jase]

I'm assuming it is uncured live rock. The smell should go away within a few weeks, but in the meantime maybe you should try to pull off some dead stuff if you see any.

 

[n3ont3tra]

?

 

[jase]

I'm assuming it is uncured live rock. The smell should go away within a few weeks, but in the meantime maybe you should try to pull off some dead stuff if you see any.

Can I skim the gung from the top of the water ?

 

[n3ont3tra]

I'm not sure. Try adding a powerhead pointed toward the surface.

 

[Lynden]

If this fails, gently lay a paper towel flat on the water's surface, and quickly pull it away.

 

[AK77]

Yup the smell you are experiencing is most likely the result of organic life that was on the rock and is dying off. This releases ammonia and yes your tank will stink for a bit. It will pass once the denitrifying bacteria gets to work on it all and breaks it down into nitrates. As Neon said, if you can see any dead stuff in the tank or on the rocks, try removing it by hand, as this will speed the process up, since you are reducing the amount of material that can decay in the tank.

To expand on what Lynden suggested, you could also try using some filter wool. Cut a strip the width of your tank (back to front) and start at one end of the tank. Drag it half submergered and half out the water to the other end of the tank. A strip 3"-4" should be fine. All the gunk will be pushed up to one end of the tank and collect on the filter wool. The slower you do this, the better.

 

[Musho3210]

nitrifying bacteria turns stuff into nitrates, denitrifying gets rid of nitrates and turns it into nitrogen gas.

 

[pengy666]

dont stand too close with a naked flame!