hi,
i have had my 55 gallon for about 5 months now. Before that i had a 10 gallon then updated. fish are about 2 years old. i don't know the param cause i am still looking around for a drop test kit instead of strips. well recently my tank water has gotten very smelly. i am doing waer changes 2 a week 30-40% and still nothing. i have a 550 penguin (?) and got new filter pads for it. i recently started leaving the light on all day instead of just the afternoon, could this be why? what should i do, what could it be? oh and the water is looking slightly green and cloudy, algea?

Hi Goldrush

Stinking water with a green tinge means there are too many nutrients present and bacteria are multiplying like crazy.

Few questions.....

How much and how often do you feed the fish?
How often do you usually do water changes?
Is there a gravel substrate and if yes, how often do you vacuum this?
What are the ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH levels?
How may fish are in the tank?



Did you completely replace all the filter pads?

Just to add a little something on top of Emma's excellent reply.

It is not a good idea to leave the light on 24/7. That will encourage algae growth and can contribute to the smelly water issue.

How much and how often do you feed the fish? - two meals a day. One in the morning and another at about 6:00pm

How often do you usually do water changes? once or twic a week, about 30-40%

Is there a gravel substrate and if yes, how often do you vacuum this? there is gravel and i didn't think i had to vaccum it so i never have.

What are the ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH levels? i don't know these because i don't have a test kit

How may fish are in the tank?
i have 6 fancy foldies and 1 bristlenose plecco

oh, and i only replaced the carbon pad. do you think restricting the time with the light on would help?

You're going to need to vac the substrate. If you never have it's going to have to be done in stages & you'll have to be careful to vac it in an up & down motion to try to get out the gunk without spreading it all over the tank. (Don't try to do it all in one go. There will be alot of gunk in it & of you release too much into the tank - your fish will get sick) I would plan to vac it weekly if you can in future (I always vac mine whenever I do my water changes)

Can you take a water sample to your lps to have them check it for your water params???

Sorry I can't help you with the filter - I have aquaclears & fluvals. I don't know if you have a sponge type media in there or if it's just the bio wheels & the carbon. I seem to remember the wheels are your main bacteria breeding ground but I can't remember what's in the media baskets.

Hope this helps!

Jenn