i have cleaned my tank out and it has gone green and it smells like pooh why?

Question

hi there i have cleaned out my fish tank and 2 days later it has gone green and it has started to smell i hasnt happened before. it has gone green in a few days but it hasnt never smelt before.i noticed it today when i got back from my paper round.

Answer 1

If it smells real bad then you really should start doing water changes, because it's a bad sign. Bad things smell bad, like ammonia. It wouldn't hurt to do a test for it.

What do you mean by 'cleaned out'? I hope you didn't empty it and clean out your filter and gravel and everything. If so you've destroyed the bacteria system in the tank and it's probably ammonia you're smelling - but if it is you should also see the side effect beside's the smell - dead or dying fish. You would need to do a 50% water change right away. If stores are open I'd go get some bacteria - either media from a fish store tank (better option), or a bottle of something (last resort).

If the fish are ok then just do water changes to help clean things up. Maybe cleaning it released some bad gas into the water - who knows. The first concern is usually how the fish are doing.

Green water is usually from direct sunlight or too much light, combined with high nutrient levels in the water (phosphates, nitrates, etc.) Keep the light completely off for a few days, and water changes should help clean things up. Make sure you don't overfeed the fish (common mistake) and never clean the tank out entirely.

Weekly rituals of partial (20ish%) water changes and vacuuming of gravel, filter cleaning or partial replacement monthly, and algae scraping when needed will keep a tank going for years and keep things clean.

Answer 2

Not sure of the smell, but the green is more than likely caused by Light...as in tank by a window?...if it is u can help by covering the back with something (like a tank cover) background, The light from the top of the tank shouldn't be enuff to grow green in few days..the less direct light it gets the less green, the smell could be caused by the green slime growing, do u have air in the tank?...stagnate water usually smells awful....i would put an aerator in it and check with store to see about any diseases that may be causing it..

Answer 3

I had the same problem with my tropical tank, it was caused by the dramatic change in temperature throughout the day (it was in direct sunlight) maybe this is the problem. Also there is an actual fungus that stays in the tank even if you clean it. You can get "antigreenwater" liquid from the fish shops that can help with this and its best to add this every time you do a water change.

Answer 4

Hi,
I have had several fish tanks in the past!
First of all you said that you cleaned it.Right.
Do you have a filter system in it? If not than I would suggest that you get one.However,
if you cleaned it,and you have a filter.Than maybe you need to change the filter,or clean it also.
If you have done all this than I would ask someone about it at the place where you got the tank.It could be that you have to many fish for the size of tank that you have.
Maybe you should get you 1 or 2 alga eaters,as they help keep a tank clean also.

Answer 5

Sounds like you have a lot of algae in your fish tank, is it a goldifsh tank? If so, you should know that goldfish are poop-machines.
You should move your tank away from direct sunlight, and also buy a filter system, it will save a lot of hassle in water changes etc.

Hope I helped!

Answer 6

have any of your fish died? Sounds like the filter isn`t doing its job. Try another thorough clean and include washing the gravel and the filter foam and then test the water for any harmful toxins. If you cannot do this, you can take a sample to your local fish/pet store who can analyse the water for you and rec commend a chemical antidote

Answer 7

It could be sunlight. If you have your tank in direct sunlight, it could cause quick alge build up.

Also, next time you do a tank change, do a half tank change instead of a complete tank change. It's better for the fish and you will have less problems with half and half.

Answer 8

I use coke a cola (pepsi will not work) non gel toothpaste and a green scrub sponge used for dishes. Pour the coke in the tank and place some toothpaste on the sponge. Scrub scrub scrub when you are done rise it out and presto clean tank. The coke and toothpaste will not hurt your fish if you do not get it all out.

Answer 9

because you probley have a small filter you will just have to buy a bigger one i have that problem too it will work if you get a bigger one and clean the glass with something in the water so you could see through the glass and the poo smell because the alge it stinks really bad.

Answer 10

Hi,give it another water change.keep doing it untill the green & smell go also use a water condition for aquatic tanks.Good Luck