fishy smell?

Question

i recently purchased a fish tank, about 4 weeks ago, and there is a mild fishy smell. what can i do to get rid of this smell???

Answer 1

This means only that your fish tank has not matured enough. Your tank will grow beneficial bacteria that turns fish waste (ammonia) into nitrites and the nitrates into harmless nitrates. Until this cycle develops, the only thing you can do to reduce the smell it to feed less.
A

Answer 2

I need to know more about your tank. Fresh? Salt? If it's not filled then just use a diluted vinegar / water solution to clean the glass.

I have a 255 gal reef tank and a 72 gal fresh tank...You don't need to change 20% of your tanks water every week! It all depends on how heavy the bio load is in your tank. If you have too many dissolved organic compounds (d.o.c's) in your water it may start smelling fishy, or you may have a dead fish hiding in there. Keep an eye on amonia levels and ph, if they start to go up, you'll need to do a partial water change and start runnung carbon for a few days. Over feeding will / can raise amonia levels and cause cloudy water but would not cause your water to smell fishy. You most likely have a dead fish in the tank if it smells fishy.

Keep an eye on other fish, since your tank will go through a mini-cycle and less hardy fish can get ill. Stay away from chemicals, they will just screw up your water eco even worse.

With these water cycles, you'll probably get some brown diatom algae (sp?) and if the ph is too far off you'll start getting some slime (cyno) algae if it's salt water.

Answer 3

You should, ideally, be doing at least 20% water changes every week. By doing this, you'll be getting rid of excess waste, thus cutting down on the "fishy smell".

I do anywhere between 20-30% changes on all my tanks every week, and I have absolutely no problems with odor. Nor do I change my filters every month as recommended; instead, I simply rinse them off in used tank water that I put in a bucket just for that reason.

Answer 4

Don't change your carbon filters, don't buy sprays, don't get a huge fan or change the water every 10 days.

The problem is that is how it is going to smell - period. If you do any of what the other idiots out here posted you will wind up with more problems and dead fish.

Answer 5

did u clean the fish tank anytime within this 4 weeks.....a fish tank needs to be cleaned at least once in 10 dayz.....it will never smell! Try keeping it clean...and remember not to use soap while cleaning...it will be harmful to the fishes, use salt instead to clean :)

Answer 6

Try replacing the carbon in your filter. That should clear up any smell.

Answer 7

buy something to spray because it is a fish tank. it should smell lol :)

Answer 8

Get rid of the tank!

Answer 9

Cut off the fishes' noses. They'll never smell again!

Answer 10

if you aren't using it, clean it with salt and water, or a mild solution of bleach then rinse really well. if you are using it, change the filter and clean the rocks and plants.