Smelly Aquarium Water

[omega59]

I did a water change yesterday, and now my aquarium smells so bad like it's not been changed. i did a 20% water change and there is all this cloudyness in the water. should i do a water change again??

 

[dthoffsett]

How long has your tank been set up?

What do you have it stocked with?

Is the smell new, or somthing that's been happening all along?

What are your water stats, ammonia, nitrite, & nitrate, exact readings if possible?

What size tank is it?

I have three tanks set up in my living room and have never noticed a smell coming from them, other than and slightly earthy smell if I sniff the top of the water. A healthy tank shouldn't really have any smell at all.

 

[omega59]

setup for 4 months
4 platy 1 red eye tetra
ammonia, nitrite, & nitrate, not sure.
29gal

the smell is kind of earthy yes, but the water is also cloudy if i look closely at it. is it normal for the tank to get like this after a clean in 24hrs? is somting settling still??

 

[omega59]

is it normal for the water to have a bit of cloudyness or dirt particles in the water?

which water kit is recommended, i live in canada, any websites where can order from canada??

 

[madgap]

Your local aquarium store should sell water testing kits. In my opinion they are expencive But for a new set up, and I suspect yours is newish, they are necessary. Until you are used to how things should be.

Yes it is normal for your water to be dirty if there is a problem. Are you over feeding? Is your filter big enough for your set up? Are you ove stocked?
These questions are for you to look into. And I think your problem may be found in these questions.

I would ask you to take heart. Read, and learn. You'll do well.

 

[omega59]

i'm going to look into a water kit, any brands or what i should be looking for that it will include?

 

[dthoffsett]

You want a liquid test kit, including ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and PH, master test kits usually include all of those. API Pharmaceuticals is a really good brand, also, you can usually find them much cheaper online than in the LFS.

 

[omega59]

sorry dunno why images won't post here.

 

[omega59]

which kit do you suggest, just the strips or the full one with liquids etc.


http/img139.imageshack.us/my.php?image=l...3testkitsq6.jpg

-Includes: Low range pH, high range pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, 4 test tubes with snap-tight caps, and a test instruction booklet with color charts.

http/img132.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img3034397oq1.jpg

-This is a complete water quality test kit. Includes 25 5-in-1 test strips, which tests: pH, nitrate, nitrite, hardness and alkalinity as well as 25 ammonia test strips. Results in seconds. Accurate and easy to use. Can be used on both fresh and saltwater.

 

[merry78]

I would steer clear of test strips. Many people on this forum doubt their accuracy. Liquid test kits are far better IMO.

 

[dthoffsett]

I would steer clear of test strips. Many people on this forum doubt their accuracy. Liquid test kits are far better IMO.

I'll second that. Stick to the liquid kits.

 

[divisible by zero]

do you have any plastic ornaments with dead space in them? I've found anything that traps water in it tends to stink if not flushed good.

 

[omega59]

i was just recently told that, i need to brush and soak in soap-water all the plastic plants and rocks whenever i do a water change (once a week 20%), cus i noticed they have gotten a slimy texture on them and the fish are pecking at them. so i will be looking forward to removing all of them this thursdays water change, and i'll be buying the water-kit (as shown in the first pic). will post my results soon ty.

 

[dthoffsett]

i was just recently told that, i need to brush and soak in soap-water all the plastic plants and rocks whenever i do a water change (once a week 20%), cus i noticed they have gotten a slimy texture on them and the fish are pecking at them. so i will be looking forward to removing all of them this thursdays water change, and i'll be buying the water-kit (as shown in the first pic). will post my results soon ty.

Whatever you do don't soak anything that goes in the tank in soap-water. The soap can leave a film that is deadly to the fish even it you think you rinsed it well. The slimy texture is probably one of two things, the starts of algae, or what is collectively known as bio-film (I'm pretty sure that's the term). You'll notice this in any mature tank, all the surfaces have a kind of slippery film.

If you really want to clean them, either use just plain tapwater, or you can clean them in a bleach solutions of 1 part bleach to 20 parts water, just be sure to rinse well.

 

[Spooky76]

The cloudiness in the tank sounds like a bacteria bloom, which you normally get if you have a new tank or change too much water.

As suggested get the test kit, it will help YOU understand whats happening in your tank.

Test strips suck, they are awfully innaccurate imo.

How much direct light does your tank get ? Also how long do you leave the lights on in it ?