the levels:
Ammonia Level: 0
Nitrite Level? 0
Nitrate level? 21
Ph Level? 7.0
Tank size(How many Gals) and How long has it been running? 20 Gallons, running for about 7 years
What kind of Filtration? Fluval Plus 2
How often do you change the water and how much? Weekly, 20%-50%
What kind of Water additives or conditioners? None
Any Medications add to the tank? No
How many fish in the tank and there size? 2 large goldfish, 3 blue neons
What do you feed your fish? Bloodworms, every 2 weeks (Havent had this week) and goldfish flake food

problem is my fish tank really stinks its making me feel sick really bad. I cant decide what the problem is as i did a water change only yesterday and now the tank seems to be getting much much worse. The water is perfectly clear, as far as am knowledgable the cycle is ok too and so are the readings ^^^..the filter had a pad changed on sudnay of last week, and when i changed the other one today theyre both quite clean.

Is there any reason as to why my fish stink, theyre really really disgusting even though my brother thinks its funny ive gotta sleep in the same room as them so i need help asap!!!

Are any of the smells that are given off by tanks toxic, just incase i wake up with an extra set of ears of summit tomorrow morning... :listen:

Thanks for help in advance,
FoxYStoat :goldfish

Hi, are the fish acting ok? Sometimes nitrates can make a tank smell, but yours seem to be ok.
What about algae? Is there alot of algae? Hmmm this is interesting.

That was my first thought as well--NitrAtes...... I'm battling them right now as we speak.... and nitrAtes are in my tap water, so my massive water changes aren't of much help at all. Maybe that can be why your water change seemed to excaberate the problem? I'm trying to learn about live plants and how they can aid in lowering the ppm, but I'm not getting answers to my questions fast enough.... I'm freaking out! my fish are slwoly getting worse!

The very best way to remove stinky fumes from a fishtank is Fresh, activated carbon. This stuff really works and works well. But it might take a few new carbon pads for your fluval to do it. Either that, or you could really use a bunch and put some loose carbon into either a vacuum bag or panyhose toes. Just place this into your fluval filter where you would put the carbon pad.


hope this helps!

That's for sure. My tank smelled as though 1,000 eggs had been left to rot until i introduced the carbon. It didn't work overnight but it did work.

Excellent suggestion on the carbon. Usually works a treat.

Another thing to check is whether your tank has a lighthood that covers the whole top of the tank. It gets very moist up there and bacteria, mould and algae can mushroom up there and give off nasty smell as well.

thanks for all the help =D you guys rock!!!

Whats strange is that the smell seems to have gone now..either that or am so used to it i cant smell it no more

Iam defintely gonna get some of the carbon stuff...ive had the loose stuff before but a bit got trapped in the filter and sent me insane with the constanty thudding and blocking of the water.

The fish are perfectly fine..their usual "give us food otherwise well suck your finger" selves..and ive just introduced a new skeleton to the tank and they love that so its not like thats making them act strange either.

Well iam gonna get that carbon stuff tomorrow and will let you all know if the fish tank stops smelling...


Thanks everyone!!!
FoxyStoat :goldfish :