Ok I have a little 5 gallon tank for my son with 3 guppies in it and I cannot figure out how to get the water to stop smelling so bad! It smells awful like cat urine!
It is one of those tank kits you get at walmart.
What can I do?
2007-02-27 03:41:45 · 13 answers · asked by *Beth* 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
How often should it be changed bc the water is only 3 days old and the tank looks clean but just smells.
I do have a cat but it is the water that smells awful. I have a little filter on there that it came with. Is there a certain chemical that could help?
2007-02-27 03:58:15 · update #1
If I do a water change, I dont just put the fish back in right? I have some stuff I was told to add called "Start Right" is this right?
The tank is new we just got it last week on Friday.
2007-02-27 04:11:26 · update #2
How long have you had the tank? Sounds like it could be high in ammonia which would mean it's not cycled and is bad for your fish. Trying doing a few water changes, around 20-50% for a few days and see if it gets better. Also read up about tank cycling so you know what is happening to your tank and what can happen to your fish.
When you do a water change you shouldn't take the fish out, you should use something called a gravel vac that sucks all the debris out from the gravel and removes water at the same time. They only cost a few bucks and you should be able to get them at any store that sells fish supplies. Before you add the new water you need to treat it first with a water conditioner that removes chlorine and chloramins if your water also contains them.
Check this site out, they have articles about everything you need to know about properly taking care of fish. http://www.firsttankguide.net/
2007-02-27 03:58:04 · answer #1 · answered by Nunya Biznis 6 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Do a partial water change. What is happening is Ammonia is building up from the waste. This is normal in a new tank, as there are no bacteria in the filter yet to break down the waste. This is called cycling.
You can speed up the process and take away some of the risk to the fish by using a product like Cycle or StressZyme.
2007-02-27 12:48:34 · answer #2 · answered by something_fishy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
3 guppies are going to be too much for a 5 gallon tank when they are full grown. Either way, I'm sure you are high in ammonia and waste. Did you cycle your water? What type of filter do you use? You should probably get a new filter and do a partial water change. Also try not to overfeed causing more waste.
2007-02-27 12:48:59 · answer #3 · answered by Amanda 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take the guppies out and place in small container of water that has been aged for 48 hrs and is at room temp and check Ph if you have a kit ,if Ph is not betw 6.5 and 7.5 you need to adjust it..Then clean tank with PLAIN water and a dash of salt, rinse well, fill the tank and run the air pump that came with tank for 48 hrs,find a method to cover the tank while allowing air to circulate, then move guppies back into tank.
Finally STOP overfeeding, three guppies only need one small pinch of flake food daily and do not allow children to care for fish unless they are trained in proper methods of caring for tropical fish.
If the guppies die,buy ONE goldfish for the tank.
2007-03-02 09:43:17 · answer #4 · answered by xxx 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it is clean it should not smell so bad, but the food stinks.
Do you have a cat? It might have sprayed it. If that is the case you might have to wash it w/o the fish in it but make sure not to get any chemicals inside the tank.
2007-02-27 11:47:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
fish usually smell really bad (i have a 50 gallon tank ) but if you clean the rocks twice a month and change the water it shouldn't be that bad plus a little covering to the tank should keep in the funky smell
2007-02-27 11:50:48 · answer #6 · answered by converse junkie 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
yeck! i had the same problem with a few wal mart tanks i bought. i think it's mainly the plastic that it's made of to tell you the truth. try adding chemicals that reduce chlorine (even if you are on a well) and fish stress. the smell usually goes away after a few weeks of regular washing.
the product i use that reduces chlorine and stress is made by a company called "Jungle." the product is called "Start Right." it's very inexpensive...two dollars i think.
2007-02-27 12:28:19 · answer #7 · answered by asphyxia derailed 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
do not feed your fish so much food 1 time a day and just a pinch.what you smell ia amoinia and thats what kills along with ph
2007-02-27 12:27:51 · answer #8 · answered by Brigit B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
is it filtering? you need a good water change and a new filter. you could possibly be feeding them too much also.
2007-02-27 11:48:44 · answer #9 · answered by ike 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try cleaning the tank out...durrrrrrrrrrr
2007-02-27 14:06:43 · answer #10 · answered by =Matt= 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋