Tank smells like mold

[SpikesReef]

So I've been cycling a 10g tank to be used as a QT in the future (display isn't filled yet). The tank finally cycled on Monday, but today the tank smells moldy. I was away for 3 days and let the water level come down. The salinity was around 1.028.

Do I need to take it down and start over? Or can I do a big water change and squeeze the sponge filter in the water I took out, then put it back in?

10g

Heater

Air sponge filter

Pvc

 

[Cory]

So I've been cycling a 10g tank to be used as a QT in the future (display isn't filled yet). The tank finally cycled on Monday, but today the tank smells moldy. I was away for 3 days and let the water level come down. The salinity was around 1.028.

Do I need to take it down and start over? Or can I do a big water change and squeeze the sponge filter in the water I took out, then put it back in?

10g

Heater

Air sponge filter

Pvc

Im not sure why it would smell like mold. I get a little mold/ fungus in my 25 gallon near the top of the tanks lid where the humidity is high. But it doesnt smell like mold.

What did you use to cycle?

 

[SpikesReef]

Im not sure why it would smell like mold. I get a little mold/ fungus in my 25 gallon near the top of the tanks lid where the humidity is high. But it doesnt smell like mold.

What did you use to cycle?

I used brine shrimp and bacterial supplements. It's possible that there's brine shrimp stuck to the side above the water line. I'm going to clean it real good and do a big water change. Also try to remove any brine shrimp inside the tank.

 

[SpikesReef]

Anyone have any insight to what this might be from

 

[Cory]

Anyone have any insight to what this might be from

Could be anything try using some activated carbon to get rid of the smell. Only other option is to start over.

Did you buy the tank new or used? What kind of water is in it? What kind of salt?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

+1 on the carbon.
Not sure why it would smell like mold. The saltwater should kill regular mold.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Shouldn't smell moldy. Possible mold under the trim? Take a white towel/napkin and run it around under the lip of the tank, see if there's some. That's all I got.

 

[Butitor]

I used brine shrimp and bacterial supplements. It's possible that there's brine shrimp stuck to the side above the water line. I'm going to clean it real good and do a big water change. Also try to remove any brine shrimp inside the tank.

it's the dead brine shrimp caused that smell, what brand of bacterial supplements you used?

 

[SpikesReef]

I used aquavitro seed, dr tims and brightwell microbacter7. All to no avail- then added Fritz turbo 900 and it was cycled in a dau

 

[SpikesReef]

I'm gonna clean the tank really good, bc it's only half full right now but I started full- very possibly old shrimp on the aides