New tank smells bad

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Caveden

Redtail Catfish
MFK Member
Jul 21, 2020
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Recently just started a 20g aquascape. Added sand and aqua soil. Currently in the stage where there is bacterial bloom (4th day since I added water), and there’s the smell of rotten eggs in the tank.

1) could it possibly be from the sulphurous air trapped underneath the substrate, although I highly doubt so because if I’m not mistaken, it takes a while for the bacteria trapped in the air pockets underneath the substrate to start producing sulfur, and the tank is new

2) does bacterial bloom cause the smell?

3) I added beneficial bacteria into the aquarium, and the liquid bacteria already smelt like rotten eggs initially. Would the smell go away?

Out of all of this, I’m planning to do a waterchange to rid the smell. However, this is a new tank which is cycling, and I know doing a water change would result in the bacterial bloom to last longer which I do not want, and doing a water change while the tank is cycling, not a great idea is it?
Should I water change?
 
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What you are probably smelling is #3 and as long as the product was within it's expiration date, I wouldn't do anything at this point. Which product did you use?
 
What you are probably smelling is #3 and as long as the product was within it's expiration date, I wouldn't do anything at this point. Which product did you use?
Microbe lift

I see. The tank is in my room and stinking up the place. I should just leave it alone and not do water change? however just curious, does bacterial bloom have a bad smell as well?

IMG_5817.jpeg
 
Gotta love the trainwreck that often occurs when new whizbang "technology" crashes headlong into the claims of the spin doctors in the marketing department.

Manufacturer: "special blend water care...beneficial bacterial...cleans and clears water...reduces nitrate...reduces maintenance!"

Consumer: "But my tank is very cloudy and smells like rotten eggs! What gives?"

Manufacturer: "That's how you know it is working!"

I'm sure that with time your tank will achieve a cycled state, will be clear and will no longer smell like a sewer. I'd be very curious to know if this happens any faster with this miraculous juice as opposed to just cycling it with plain ol' ammonia, or an even-more-barbaric fish-in cycle...neither of which typically stink up your home.
 
Gotta love the trainwreck that often occurs when new whizbang "technology" crashes headlong into the claims of the spin doctors in the marketing department.

Manufacturer: "special blend water care...beneficial bacterial...cleans and clears water...reduces nitrate...reduces maintenance!"

Consumer: "But my tank is very cloudy and smells like rotten eggs! What gives?"

Manufacturer: "That's how you know it is working!"

I'm sure that with time your tank will achieve a cycled state, will be clear and will no longer smell like a sewer. I'd be very curious to know if this happens any faster with this miraculous juice as opposed to just cycling it with plain ol' ammonia, or an even-more-barbaric fish-in cycle...neither of which typically stink up your home.
i did do the barabaric fish in cycle to be honest.... added in my previous two cherry shrimps and one feeder balloon molly, all of them which now are no where to be found, probably decomposing in the tank producing ammonia. leaving their bodies in there to decompose to produce ammonia for the cycle.

added in my previous media from my main tank to speed up the process as well. hope it manages to cycle within a week. hope.
 
Gotta love the trainwreck that often occurs when new whizbang "technology" crashes headlong into the claims of the spin doctors in the marketing department.

Manufacturer: "special blend water care...beneficial bacterial...cleans and clears water...reduces nitrate...reduces maintenance!"

Consumer: "But my tank is very cloudy and smells like rotten eggs! What gives?"

Manufacturer: "That's how you know it is working!"

I'm sure that with time your tank will achieve a cycled state, will be clear and will no longer smell like a sewer. I'd be very curious to know if this happens any faster with this miraculous juice as opposed to just cycling it with plain ol' ammonia, or an even-more-barbaric fish-in cycle...neither of which typically stink up your home.
I’ve had good results with tetra safe start, but when I used that method, I stocked very lightly and added fish very slowly
 
i did do the barabaric fish in cycle to be honest.... added in my previous two cherry shrimps and one feeder balloon molly, all of them which now are no where to be found, probably decomposing in the tank producing ammonia. leaving their bodies in there to decompose to produce ammonia for the cycle.

added in my previous media from my main tank to speed up the process as well. hope it manages to cycle within a week. hope.
Water changes are your best friend
new water should be at proper temp and pH
 
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