Why is my skimmer so stinky???

Chortanator

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I've been usinh my skimmer for about 5 months, it was used and came with the tank but never put it in since then. I was having issues with it overflowing so I took it out and scrubbed out the coralline. Now I'm getting way less skimmate, and the smell is so awful that it stinks up the entire basement like something is rotting on the beach. Even with a full cup of relatively dry skimmate, it never smelled this bad before. What should I do?
 

Chrisv.

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People used to rig activated carbon contraptions that the outflowing air could come out of (think a fancy life with carbon in the top). I haven't seen these recently though.
 

ScubaFish802

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You could try putting carbon over the air vent maybe, other than that, more frequent cleaning is the only thing I can think of
 

ScubaFish802

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I have a Bubble Mag with holes all around the top of the skimmer cup lid. Do I have to make sure each one is covered by the carbon?
I'm not sure how viable the carbon idea really is, but when I used to work at a warehouse way back, I would put these carbon things in my shoes after work, then rotate them out and put the used ones out in the sun for a day or two. This was pretty good at clearing out my shoes.. lol
No experience for a fishtank though
 
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Chortanator

Chortanator

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I'm not sure how viable the carbon idea really is, but when I used to work at a warehouse way back, I would put these carbon things in my shoes after work, then rotate them out and put the used ones out in the sun for a day or two. This was pretty good at clearing out my shoes.. lol
No experience for a fishtank though

I'll give it a look! Are they dusty? Should I rinse them? I have a coral beauty so I don't want it to get HLLE
 

ScubaFish802

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I'll give it a look! Are they dusty? Should I rinse them? I have a coral beauty so I don't want it to get HLLE
You could probably do it cheaper by buying the cheap activated carbon off amazon or whatever and putting it in pantyhose or some fine netting.. the ones I linked weren't dusty, but they were not food safe (that I am aware of) so I can't really give any advice there
 

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal

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I swear I JUST saw an ad for something like this... A skimmer top that had carbon built in, but I can't find it now.


This may help... https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/content/post/md-2015-01-fix-skimmer-smell-with-a-carbon-filter-pad

(And if not, try these ;) )

Screenshot_20220619-122656.png
 

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal

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ReefEco

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Ok - I think you should be able to use UPS Standard shipping now to Canada. Thanks for your perseverance - I'll give you a little extra discount on your order for the headache : )
 
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