My fish tank has a weird, strong, smell. It is sort of a damp, musty smell. It doesn't smell like ammonia or anything like that, just musty. Is this normal? Also, when the cloudy water startes to fade, does this mean that you are about to enter another phase in the cycle process? My cloudy water is much clearer today, so I was just wondering...

check your floors and wall to make sure it's not leaking or that your filter is misting. I've had tanks that smell alittle funky when cycling but that usually clears up after the cycle gets established.

Well, my tank is not leaking, but what do you mean by "filter misting"? I hope it is just the cycling that is making the smell!

well some filters toss a little mist if the water is flowing a little rough inside. If the filter is real close to a wall (especially plaster walls) it gets the wall damp and makes it smell musty.

I checked, but that is not the problem either! AARRGGHH! It is coming from the tank.

Its not unusual but it probably means another water change is needed. If there is nothing around the tank as Ryuu says thats omitting the smell. There are several smells for toxic water.....for example some people say nitrite smells like garlic, some say old tobacco smoke and so on. Ammonia in the water doesn't smell like bleach.

my water always smells a little "fishy" lol, and all the tanks that have ever been in contact with melafix still smell like that. If the water is clearing thats usually a good sign.

I posted about my smelly tank a while ago. Mine smells sort of fishy/pondy. It was bad for a while there but has since gotten better. I think all you can do about it is water changes and keep on top of filter maintence.

Chrissy

My water still smells funny. I guess I would have to agree with Crissy, it smells like a pond, sort of. It even smells this way after a BIG water change???

I think its normal, all my fishtanks have a slight smell, I think its a combination of the bacteria, fish poo, and maybe food rotting somewhere in the gravel or filter or something, I dont think its necesarily a bad sign

Does the tank smell like lake? Kinda earthy, pondy, lakey? - Well that's how most tanks smell. Unless it smells of sulphur or something untoward, I wouldn't worry, hun.
Glad the water's cleared - sounds like the cycle is on it's way

Oh that smell yes. That lakey smell is a good one..I think it smells like fresh soil after the rain..in fact if you have that smell (could be called musty) along with cloudy water it may be the bbs are moving in fast and the cycle is well underway.

LOL! Yes, Pix and Imogen, that is exactly how it smells! Like a lake, or as you put it Imogen, soil after it rains. Good! I was hoping it was normal! I do have that smell and my water is still somewhat cloudy. Hopefully, this means my cycle is moving along! Thanks!!!!

Hey Nickie,
Is your tank a barebottom? I had this smelly water problem once. It was a barebottom tank and I had these dishes in there with plants. What i didnt realize is that
I didnt move these dishes around when i waterchanged and alot of muck built up around them, which caused the smell.

yeah, thats a good way to explain it, mine smell like that, except a few that still smell like melafix and pimafix lol, that smell never goes away!

It is barebottom, with a few river rocks scattered around. I don't have any live plants, just three silk ones that are just sitting in there. No pots or any decorations. I move the plants every day when I change out the water.

my tank smells less pondy since i got the extra media baskets for my biowheel 350 and started using charcoal again. it made a pretty significant difference, but there is still a slight smell if i get down close to the water's surface.