Smells Like Soil

[ashleybrown2]

Hey guys, just a quick question....during a fishless cycle, with the lights on 12 hours a day, and mostly real plants, should there be a smell when you open the lid? the best way i can describe it is wet soil and grass.

Ammonia 2ppm
Nitrites ~4ppm
Nitrates 10ppm

Thanks
Ash

 

[Underwurlde]

Apparently a tank that smells 'of damp earth' is a healthy tank. So a good sign then.

Andy

 

[aitchvee]

The smell's there no matter what the water chemistry and whether you have livestock or not. I was kind of surprised about that when I was fishless cycling.
(I've also noticed that black bin bags smell of rubbish even when there's no rubbish in them.) Sounds like you're getting there - it's great when the nitrites finally drop!

 

[ashleybrown2]

Excellent thanks guys, and aitchvee I love the ADF in your sig, so cute

Ash

 

[aitchvee]

Thanks. That just gives me an excuse to show off a couple more pics! Mikhail Baryshnifrog:

Shameless!