the smell...oh the smell. about to take down one of my tanks... and go planted FW!

[Devaji]

venting talking aloud here to others that "get it"

for what ever reason I cant seem to win with this tank. RS 300XL was going to be a seahorse tank but decided to just go classic reef focusing on LPS corals.
over sized skimmer, UV had a roller mat but never used it.

log story short when deciding of I wanted to go SH or reef all my macros melted then came the problems. one problem after the other. the latest is GHA so much long and stingy GHA. all my numbers are in check as the GHA is soaking it up.
reduced lighting by 50%
manual removal/WC

then there is the smell. you know that smell when you go to the tropics and get a house/hotel that smell musty/moldy
its making the whole house smell so bad. every time I come back in from being out side for 15 min. I am oh GOD.

I was thinking about replacing the skimmer to a better size one for the tank, current is 3-4X over sized. so its not going a good job IMHO over sizing does not work.
then got to thinking might just shut down the tank and set it up as a simple planted FW tank. seems less maintenance cheaper and cleaner...well maybe
the fish from the tank (4 wrasses ) can go in to the FOWLR I am still stocking.

was looking at the tank then felt guilty about giving up. maybe I should give it dose of fluconazole for the GHA and stick with it. take coming up on the year old mark so be a shame to start a new project. but on the other hand a house that does not smell will be nice to.

another reason is my job after 17 years of contracting is close down for 2 years for a remodel so my funds will be unstable for a while. might even spend a few months abroad normally spend one month a year. but might spend 2+ IDK


with all that said I am leaning towards a planted FW tank. easy plants small fish and call it a day. but then there is that felling of giving up I cant seem to get out of my head.
be reefing on and off for 20 years now and it seems more tanks problems nowadays...I blame the lack of LR

anyway what do you classy folks think?
I gotta do something about the smell at the very least never had a smell house or tank before.

​

 

[exnisstech]

Sorry I'm not classy but my tanks don't stink, even my nasty one with GHA and cyano all over. I'm pretty sensitive to odors but maybe mine stink and I'm just used to it. I have 3 running on the same floor of a small house.

 

[edd59]

what is the humidity in the house. maybe its musty cause you lack ventilation.

 

[JonoH]

How often are you doing water changes?
I dont get a smell at all from mine unless the skimmer really needs a clean, and even then its only bad if it gets disturbed...

 

[dedragon]

Matters where the smell is coming from. I had a bit of smell once from water level changing slightly and exposing algae at the top of the tank.
If the water itself is smelling, regularly adding carbon will help. If it is from the protein skimmer you might want to get a carbon filter on it as well.
If it is more musty that sounds like a moisture issue in the entire room/house and will need to be addressed separately, possibly just a dehumidifier
A properly sized hepa air purifier would also work but i like to get to the main cause of the issue first rather than just masking it. Definitely have one at hand though especially if you have company over and dont want it to smell while you figure things out

 

[Devaji]

Sorry I'm not classy but my tanks don't stink, even my nasty one with GHA and cyano all over. I'm pretty sensitive to odors but maybe mine stink and I'm just used to it. I have 3 running on the same floor of a small house.

I know I am at a lose to. the IM 200 pen. does not smell but this one does.

what is the humidity in the house. maybe its musty cause you lack ventilation.

I thought about that to. but I head the house with wood stove so about 10hrs a day I have a very dry fire going + i live in a dry area. I'll get my humility checker back up and see.
I tell you it feel dry in here.

How often are you doing water changes?
I dont get a smell at all from mine unless the skimmer really needs a clean, and even then its only bad if it gets disturbed...

not as much as I should 15-20 gal. a month.

 

[Devaji]

Matters where the smell is coming from. I had a bit of smell once from water level changing slightly and exposing algae at the top of the tank.
If the water itself is smelling, regularly adding carbon will help. If it is from the protein skimmer you might want to get a carbon filter on it as well.
If it is more musty that sounds like a moisture issue in the entire room/house and will need to be addressed separately, possibly just a dehumidifier
A properly sized hepa air purifier would also work but i like to get to the main cause of the issue first rather than just masking it. Definitely have one at hand though especially if you have company over and dont want it to smell while you figure things out

we do have a large whole house air filter about 8' from the tank.
I normally run carbon in a bag in the sock. carbon on top of the skimmer cup to try help there.
good point about water level and exposed algae i'll check but dont think thing that can happen before the e drain makes a very load noise.

I thought maybe the stand got wet or moldy under it. have checked a few times did not see anything. no majior water spells.

it strongest from the skimmer. maybe as it way over sized it blowing the smell thought the house?
I almost bought a new skimmer but was thinking I was just going to take down the tank.

 

[Ksturg]

venting talking aloud here to others that "get it"

for what ever reason I cant seem to win with this tank. RS 300XL was going to be a seahorse tank but decided to just go classic reef focusing on LPS corals.
over sized skimmer, UV had a roller mat but never used it.

log story short when deciding of I wanted to go SH or reef all my macros melted then came the problems. one problem after the other. the latest is GHA so much long and stingy GHA. all my numbers are in check as the GHA is soaking it up.
reduced lighting by 50%
manual removal/WC

then there is the smell. you know that smell when you go to the tropics and get a house/hotel that smell musty/moldy
its making the whole house smell so bad. every time I come back in from being out side for 15 min. I am oh GOD.

I was thinking about replacing the skimmer to a better size one for the tank, current is 3-4X over sized. so its not going a good job IMHO over sizing does not work.
then got to thinking might just shut down the tank and set it up as a simple planted FW tank. seems less maintenance cheaper and cleaner...well maybe
the fish from the tank (4 wrasses ) can go in to the FOWLR I am still stocking.

was looking at the tank then felt guilty about giving up. maybe I should give it dose of fluconazole for the GHA and stick with it. take coming up on the year old mark so be a shame to start a new project. but on the other hand a house that does not smell will be nice to.

another reason is my job after 17 years of contracting is close down for 2 years for a remodel so my funds will be unstable for a while. might even spend a few months abroad normally spend one month a year. but might spend 2+ IDK


with all that said I am leaning towards a planted FW tank. easy plants small fish and call it a day. but then there is that felling of giving up I cant seem to get out of my head.
be reefing on and off for 20 years now and it seems more tanks problems nowadays...I blame the lack of LR

anyway what do you classy folks think?
I gotta do something about the smell at the very least never had a smell house or tank before.

​

For what it’s worth I battled GHA for awhile letting it grow long and manualing pulling it out. That is until I decided to dose vibrant it took about a month but it took it out. I know a lot of people say to stay away from it but I didn’t have any ill effects at all. I only have a 25 lagoon so I didn’t have to dose much. I mean at this point what do you have to loose trying it out.

 

[dedragon]

it strongest from the skimmer. maybe as it way over sized it blowing the smell thought the house?

maybe something like this could work? I know these used to be available somewhere else with a lot of different options but i cant remember the seller right now

ParlaCarbon - 150mm Skimmer Carbon Cap

3D printed skimmer cap to hold bags of carbon to reduce odors from operation. This Skimmer cap was designed for UltraReef UKB-120 skimmers.

parlaquatics.com

 

[Ksturg]

Maybe also try and run an actual carbon reactor instead of just in bags.

 

[Devaji]

Maybe also try and run an actual carbon reactor instead of just in bags.

I have the BRS mini reactor i'll fire it up with some ROX carbon and see. in the past it did not seam to help but you never know. worth a try.

 

[Devaji]

maybe something like this could work? I know these used to be available somewhere else with a lot of different options but i cant remember the seller right now

ParlaCarbon - 150mm Skimmer Carbon Cap

3D printed skimmer cap to hold bags of carbon to reduce odors from operation. This Skimmer cap was designed for UltraReef UKB-120 skimmers.

parlaquatics.com

interesting...

 

[danreef55]

Have you changed the carbon over the skimmer exhaust recently? If the smell is from the skimmer, you should be able to eliminate it

 

[dedragon]

interesting...

its all 3d printed so he should be able to customize the size. You could probably diy one with some acrylic and glue but it most likely wont look as good

 

[CHSUB]

I have a 15 gallon planted tank and enjoy its peacefulness. I read that a lot hear about folks commenting that reefing seems harder than “before”, and I have reason. It’s the fascination with inorganic nutrients and running them higher than common sense dictates. Imo it equals more problems and in your case algae and smell. I run my tanks “the old fashion way” low inorganic nutrients and less issues.

 

[PharmrJohn]

Have you changed the carbon over the skimmer exhaust recently? If the smell is from the skimmer, you should be able to eliminate it

Exactly what I did with my skimmate overflow. Attached a container of activated carbon where I had it vented and whenever my wife said something about the smell, I changed it out. Worked like a charm. With my new build I'm doing the exact same thing.

 

[Devaji]

Have you changed the carbon over the skimmer exhaust recently? If the smell is from the skimmer, you should be able to eliminate it

no I have been meaning to do that. 1st step was a bag of carbon on the skimmer cup.
next i will add carbon to the skimmer out flow if I can fit it. it pretty BIG skimmer in a small space.
3rd step would be add carbon to the air intake??

In all honestly I need a new skimmer I feel this one not right for the tank. but went way over sized do to seahorse being very messy eaters and being fed more often. i was hoping it would just work but sadly I feel its just to big. not the right tool for the job.

Exactly what I did with my skimmate overflow. Attached a container of activated carbon where I had it vented and whenever my wife said something about the smell, I changed it out. Worked like a charm. With my new build I'm doing the exact same thing.

can you post a pic so i can get a better idea plz.

 

[Devaji]

I have a 15 gallon planted tank and enjoy its peacefulness. I read that a lot hear about folks commenting that reefing seems harder than “before”, and I have reason. It’s the fascination with inorganic nutrients and running them higher than common sense dictates. Imo it equals more problems and in your case algae and smell. I run my tanks “the old fashion way” low inorganic nutrients and less issues.

I agree planted tanks so seem pretty relaxing. I have been threatening to set one of for a few years now. almost did 2X.
can you explain what you mean by the old fashion ways please.
I tend to feel the same every time I get more gear or do it the "better" way seems to just cause more issues.
I really thought I was nailing this tank, went slow with the build even longer with stocking. let if cyclce for months before turning on the light.

 

[Tamberav]

GHA stinks, that’s the problem.

 

[moretor1]

All algae stinks really

Running carbon severely reduces the smell imo. I had a bta go bad suddenly and you could smell it across the room ran some carbon and it went right back to the normal "ocean smell"