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Best form of activated carbon to look for is called Extruded Carbon Block.

It's the kind tha's used in top-grade RO systems in the pre-filter stage after the particulat eremoval filter.

It doesn't compact or channel, and has a longer life then any powdered form of activated carbon.



Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

The important thing when doing your pH test of your tap, is to get it stirred some how. I took a reading out of my tap and it is 7.0. When I put a bubbler in a gallon of freshly filled tap water and check it 24 hours later, I get 8.0. This is because the gases in the water have be outgassed. Nitrogen and co2 gases will make the water acidic until it leaves.

If you don't have a spare bubbler, which would be the best as it churns the water so it can make contact with the atmosphere and equalize with it, then you can try a jar. Use an open jar or rubbermaid container and put about a 1/2 to 1 cup of water in it. The wider the better. Test it and write down the number right after you put the COLD water in there. Then, put a lid on and give it a good shake. Remove the lid and let it sit. Keep repeating that as often as possible over 24 hours - any time you walk buy. But, leave the lid off so the gases can leave into the atmosphere rather than lay near the water surface.

Let's say your pH turns out to be 7.8 or even 8.0 for example, then it is imperative to find out what is causing the pH to rise in your tank. We would look at rocks, shells, and substrate.

I would encourage you to not add any fish to any tanks for a while and give them a breather too. I always recommend that when a fish dies or there is disease in a tank, you should wait a minimum of one month before adding any new fish. The tank needs to settle.

As far as your stinky tank goes, do me a favor and stick your nose into your bottle of conditioner, then smell your tank. I went nuts trying to figure out why my goldie tank smelled, then realized, it was the extra Prime I was adding to combat nitrates. I was sick and couldn't get into my water changes so I cheated and used a chemical method, but boy did it smell.

Last edited by Cory_Di at 28-Feb-2005 18:37

Thanks for that idea.........about testing the water out of the tap. That is interesting and I had never thought of that before. Would the high PH affect the smell of the water?

Also, I do run carbon, and change it religiously every two weeks with my gravel vacs.

I have many issues with the tank right now, it turned into a nightmarish mess in the last two weeks...........after being nearly perfect for many many months. I hope to get back on track again soon, and I really appreciate that advice and am anxious to give it a try.

Have a good day!

Mary, a little off topic, but have you tried to grasp why your pH is so high? Is it that way out of the tap, and 24 hours after aerating?

If you leave water sitting in an open dish and keep stirring it for a day or two, then check the pH, it should match your tank, unless something in there is driving it up. There shouldn't be any shells in there as they will do this, and some rocks can do it, as well as substrates aimed at cichlid tanks or marine tanks (usually light colored).

I always do gravel vaccuum, (30-40% change every two weeks), water quality always good (except for a recent problem). But the "stink" has always been there. Would adding live plants help that?

the tank hasn't been cycled yet and the floss has been in there about 3 days tops

Has the floss been running on a previous tank?
Ammonia, which is urine will have a noticible smell which will go away on it's own as the tank cycles.

^_^



[hr width='40%']"There’s an emptiness inside her. And she’d do anything to fill it in.
And though it’s red blood bleeding from her now. It's more like cold blue ice in her heart.
She feels like kicking out all the windows. And setting fire to this life."

i just set my tank up a few days ago. there aren't any fish in there but the water smells like stale urine.....ive got a hob running with filter floss that has been in there a few days, do you think that could be the problem

I believe the prefered brand here in the states is Black diamond, I remember Garyroland posting about it @some point as one of the best on the market in the states.

^_^



[hr width='40%']"There’s an emptiness inside her. And she’d do anything to fill it in.
And though it’s red blood bleeding from her now. It's more like cold blue ice in her heart.
She feels like kicking out all the windows. And setting fire to this life."

I have a 72 gallon bowfront with water as follows:

79 degrees
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 20 ppm
PH (High) 8.4
AquaClear 500 Powerhead filter
Driftwood
No live plants

Granted, due to unexpected breeding I am somewhat overstocked (2 angels, 3 clown loaches, 14 Rasbora Harlequins, 10 Panda Corys, 3 Diamond Tetras, 3 rubber plecos), but I only feed once a day, and in my opinion it is a fairly light feeding.

The water always smells like algae and just rotten food or something. The water quality is not too bad, so what could be causing that smell?

I do water changes every two weeks, 30 to 40% at a time.

Any thoughts on this?

Activated carbon should remove the odor as T/A suggests but it is best to isolate the cause. Make sure it is good grade carbon.

How do you buy the best "grade" carbon? Is that something that is written on the box? I'm thinking I need to get some for my tank as it has developed a slight odor. Nothing major, so I think the carbon should take care of it. But I'd appreciate any tips about what I should look for when buying the carbon... Thanks!

I have masses of bogwood in my aquaria and they don't smell foul. But then my aquaria get their water change and gravel vac twice per week. 50% water change at that. Doesn't give them chance to smell

Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

The water in my '29 smelled for a little while, all the parameters were fine. ammonia=0 nitrite=0 and nitrate was 10. after a while the smell just went away. mayhaps some bacteria on your filter?

It's probably the driftwood. As long as the fish do not look stressed, and like tammy said you are getting all the poo from the hiding spots, they should be fine.


Last edited by Shannen at 09-Feb-2005 10:50

I change carbon every two weeks and vaccuum gravel with every water change. I am wondering maybe it is the driftwood. The quality is okay so maybe I should not be worried??

Do you vacuum the gravel on a regular basis? Rubbernose (great fish by the way) are big poopers and if you have any hiding spots in the tank my bet is that you would find piles of waste.

Could it be the driftwood putting off the scent?

Activated carbon should remove the odor as T/A suggests but it is best to isolate the cause. Make sure it is good grade carbon.

Do you use carbon in you filter? If you don't, I'd give that a try. All you need to do is replace it atleast one a month.