New tank smells bad

[jcrow802]

I just started up a 75 gallon rr tank that I purchased off of a buddy. I mixes the water yesterday and added sand that someone in my family gave me from Florida when they lived on the beach. I have the lights off and my lfs said that it needs to run for 3 days before I add any live rock. As of right now it's just sand and water. Any ideas why it smells so bad?

 

[Scarybo]

I would think the sand from the beach has some die off. But I'm just guessing.

 

[Arom0024]

Agree with sand from the beach. There are a ton of polluntents in that. I like the store bought so I know what I am getting.

 

[jcrow802]

So what should I do? Will it clear up with time?

 

[sbash]

If it is die off, then it will clear off with proper filtration and water changes.

If it is some sort of pollution, then you are probably best to toss it and buy clean and dry substrate. I would not risk any sort of pollutant in the tank; who know what long term affects it could have.

 

[jcrow802]

Got up this morning and it's not that bad...

 

[beaslbob]

So what should I do? Will it clear up with time?

yes

to help things along get some macro algae (profilera/chaeto) growing.

 

[tomtom2245]

You could always add a bag of carbon. Whenever my wife complains that she can smell the tank, I'm a weirdo and actually like that ocean smell, I add a little carbon and that quickly deals with it.

 

[jcrow802]

I checked my water tonight after calibrating my refractometer. 1.025 is what I'm at. Lights still off and should be picking up a lot of live rock tomorrow if this guy calls me. ( he is breaking down his tank) I was told that the lr will start the process of cycling. Is this correct?

 

[sbash]

I checked my water tonight after calibrating my refractometer. 1.025 is what I'm at. Lights still off and should be picking up a lot of live rock tomorrow if this guy calls me. ( he is breaking down his tank) I was told that the lr will start the process of cycling. Is this correct?

Sort of...

The 'cycling process' simply refers to the system being able develop the amount of nitrifying bacteria to sustain and process/breakdown the toxic nitrogen based compounds being fed into the system (this has to do with the amount of input and the size of the environment). For example, if you take a piece of live rock, put it into a buck of saltwater, there will be no cycle (or the tank will be instantly cycled) because that small system can handle the food input.

If you are stocking your 75 gallon with all live rock from an equal or larger system, then (assuming the previous system had enough live rock to sustain several fish and at least one decent feeding a day), then you will not experience a 'cycle'. The system will be established instantly. This is, of course, best case scenario and does not account for die off.

The best thing to do is to put the rock in (live and/or dry), throw in a raw cocktail shrimp and wait. Take daily measurements until either a) the shrimp is gone, or b) you see your ammonia levels rise.

If you experience b, then pull the shrimp out before the ammonia gets over, say, 1ppm. Take daily ammonia and nitrite measurements and see how long it takes for them to both get to zero. Once at zero, repeat this process. In the mean time, post your results here, and read up on the what nitrifying bacteria does, and what the 'cycle' actually is.

 

[jcrow802]

I picked up about 100 pounds of Figi live rock today full of zoas and 2 small toadstools. I haven't scaped it yet but the zoas are out and friendly.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I picked up about 100 pounds of Figi live rock today full of zoas and 2 small toadstools. I haven't scaped it yet but the zoas are out and friendly.

yea, you might want to get some Dr tims one and only and put it in there. it'l help with the smell and help the zoas too

 

[sbash]

The zoas being out is a good sign!

Post up some pics!!!

 

[Valkyrie]

...I'm a weirdo and actually like that ocean smell, I add a little carbon and that quickly deals with it.

That's not weird, it's normal. The smell of the ocean is one of Earth's great gifts. Like pine needles and natural decay in the forest. :D

 

[jcrow802]

The zoas being out is a good sign!

Post up some pics!!!

Here are a few. I have about 60 zoas 4 toadstools and 2 small mushrooms that came on the live rock. Let's just say I got a deal. Paid $100 for all of it

 

[sbash]

Good score, it looks great!