Tank smell

[Orddie]

HI All,

The tank is 55 gallons, about 2 months old.
I have 2 clowns, a blenny, 4 crabs, firetail shrimp, and 8 snails.
Corals are 1 bird's nest, a hammer, and 1 Zoanthids and 3

Weekly water changes using a white bucket. Water looks OK.
We have a skimmer that is filling with brown liquid, and I clean it every few days.
Red Sea Carbon is in line with the water flow
we have an ATO that is filling with RODI
Using RO/DI water, we make and keep in a 40-gallon brute trash can.

PH ranges from 8 to 8.1
Ammonia is at a 0 (confirmed via Hanna tester), and we have the hang on from Seachem that also monitors it

Nitrite is 0.07, and Nitrate is 0.0. Were working on fixing this.

We live on the East Coast and try to keep our humidity 40-50%

With all that said... the tank smells. It's not an ammonia smell, and it's not exactly unpleasant, but it's starting to bother those in the house.

I'm noticing a lot of what I would consider poop in the corners and other areas of the tank. Nothing we have in the tank appears to be taking care of it. My gut tells me this is the cause of the smell. I tried to take care of it when I do the weekly cleanings, but never able to get all of it.

We were also fighting a green hair algae (Blenny is handling it), and what I think is the "The Ugly brown".

Is it time to treat with Ozone? thinking of grabbing these and connecting them to our Red Sea skimmer
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/enaly-ozone-generator-ozac-plus-100.htmlhttps://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-double-junction-lab-grade-orp-probe.html
pics of reference

 

[Saltyreef]

could be your dead/dying mexican turbo snails......those things STINK when they die. I would avoid anymore CUC as there doesnt seem much in terms of algae for them to eat since your tank is so new. The skimmate you have is actually not very dark at all. You may need to get that thing dialed in a bit and tune the bubble level down.

Nothing besides getting detritus into suspension or siphoning will remove it from your tank by the way.

Also, probably your biggest factor is no mention of GAC. You should forego the ozone idea and run some good ol carbon.
That will likely fix your smell issue.

 

[Orddie]

I am running carbon - it's noted in the OP just under the skimmer comment.
"Red Sea Carbon is in line with the water flow"

Are you suggesting something different for carbon?

 

[Evil1]

Honestly if you want the most from your carbon especially with a sump I would run a carbon reactor. I run the BRS mini carbon/ gfo. Reactor with the supplied pump. Not expensive and works great! It can also run gfo if you ever feel the need to. I can guarantee the smell will be gone in less than then 24 hrs and your water will be super clear

 

[Australian_Reef]

Nothing in those pictures is causing a smell except perhaps the skimmer. Which it should do a little if working well. If it’s the tank and it’s not a normal ocean smell something else is going on there.

 

[Orddie]

Nothing in those pictures is causing a smell except perhaps the skimmer. Which it should do a little if working well. If it’s the tank and it’s not a normal ocean smell something else is going on there.

I can smell it when I put my nose up to the display tank.

 

[Orddie]

Nothing besides getting detritus into suspension or siphoning will remove it from your tank by the way.

Just asking to confirm I understand things... Some of the video's I have watched said Ozone generator would break this down. is that not true?

 

[Saltyreef]

Just asking to confirm I understand things... Some of the video's I have watched said Ozone generator would break this down. is that not true?

I Would not employ ozone on a tank thats suffering from lack of flow/husbandry.
You have 2 gyre style pumps in there, you should not have that much detritus settling.

 

[Evil1]

I have never used one and there are some precautions you must adhere to for both livestock and humans. I still say go the carbon reactor you won’t be disappointed

 

[Orddie]

I have never used one and there are some precautions you must adhere to for both livestock and humans. I still say go the carbon reactor you won’t be disappointed

OK. Im currently using the bag that was included with the carbon. Its in the chamber between the skimmer and the return pump. Did it this way to most of the water flowing through it.

 

[Evil1]

OK. Im currently using the bag that was included with the carbon. Its in the chamber between the skimmer and the return pump. Did it this way to most of the water flowing through it.

Yes that’s ok but trust me… the mini reactor will be much more efficient, easy to maintain and works great 100% better. If memory serves it like 65 bucks with the pump. Get yourself some zox carbon from them and your set. BRS also phase a nice video explaining how to set it up properly

 

[Orddie]

Yes that’s ok but trust me… the mini reactor will be much more efficient, easy to maintain and works great 100% better. If memory serves it like 65 bucks with the pump. Get yourself some zox carbon from them and your set.

Well, now I gotta figure out where to put the dang thing in the sump :D.

Thx m8. really appreciate ya taking time to respond

 

[Evil1]

Well, now I gotta figure out where to put the dang thing in the sump :D.

Thx m8. really appreciate ya taking time to respond

No problem it’s what we all do on R2R help each other out! Good luck!

 

[Saltyreef]

You can put it anywhere. Its an external reactor. You just need an open spot for the small pump and the return hose.

 

[Orddie]

Just asking to confirm I understand things... Some of the video's I have watched said Ozone generator would break this down. is that not true?

I Would not employ ozone on a tank thats suffering from lack of flow/husbandry.
You have 2 gyre style pumps in there, you should not have that much detritus settling.

Can we take a moment and chat about the wave maker comment here.

I have two, and don’t think I have them setup right

Originally they were blowing the sand around and making many sand hills. Where they are now allow no sand movement - hence the sand sifter snails.

 

[helmsreef]

I would say since your tank is only 2 months running, that its probably from diatoms. I will see this on new systems with good turnover and diatoms. Most likely will go away in the next month or so you just have to keep with your husbandry