What does your skimmer smell like?

[gizmodo]

Over the years I've experienced the typical rotten egg smell, the NOTHING smell and lately potting soil. Yes! My skimmate smells like potting soil. I'm not quite sure why but I'm assuming it must be a good sign considering my dt water smells exactly like the ocean. Must be the bacterial colonies present. What does yours smell like and why do you think it does so?

 

[theMeat]

The real question is what does it taste like

 

[Peace River]

Over the years I've experienced the typical rotten egg smell, the NOTHING smell and lately potting soil. Yes! My skimmate smells like potting soil. I'm not quite sure why but I'm assuming it must be a good sign considering my dt water smells exactly like the ocean. Must be the bacterial colonies present. What does yours smell like and why do you think it does so?

Interesting question! I have several skimmers running on different systems and the skimmate from each system has a different smell. In fact, I think that I could probably do a blindfold challenge to be able to identify which skimmate is from which tank.

...and yes, I know the potting soil smell.

 

[Nano925]

 

[hawk82]

Like a sewer! lol

 

[Dom]

The real question is what does it taste like

Give it a try and get back to me.

 

[BostonReefer300]

Like my 14 year old son's room the morning after he had a bean burrito for dinner, played basketball with buddies for hours in 90 degree heat, and then went to bed without a shower.

 

[Bouncingsoul39]

feces

 

[G Santana]

Smells like success lol

 

[dedragon]

sometimes i get notes of mahogany and a hint of lemon.
Jk mine is like ocean low tide mixed with sulphur/rotten eggs

 

[MaxTremors]

I don’t really get a feces or rotten egg smell from it (pretty much every skimmer I’ve ever owned had similar smelling skimmate), it’s more of top note of ocean/brine/seaweed and sea life drying out and just on the verge of decaying, a hint of patchouli, and the bottom is like a musty organic almost mildewy smell similar to the smell when you turn over a damp log. There are a lot of notes in there.

Scent is one of the most triggering, specific, and personal of our senses. Certain smells can instantly remind you of very specific memories and feelings, things you maybe even forgot. But it can also trigger revulsion or make you hungry, and alternatively there are things that smell good but aren’t appetizing, and things that smell bad that aren’t revolting (for instance my dog’s breath is gross, but I find it comforting). Just like I’m not revolted by the skimmate from my skimmer, I associate it with my tank(s), which have always had positive connotations for me.

 

[DrZoidburg]

Sometimes it smells like a bog. Sometimes it smells like the ocean. Usually somewhere in between, but it definitely does not smell like roses.