Fishtank

[patrickstar]

Had my fishtank (just a small one) for a number of years now with tropical fish in. Went away for 2 days and came back to the house smelling which was the water from the tank which has never happened before along with a few dead fish. Replaced half the water, removed the usual debris at the bottom and removed most of the plants that was in there too in case that was related to it. Have replaced a quarter of tank again today as you can still smell it when close to the tank. I am using different food since just before Xmas but its not cheap stuff. Could that be the cause? What else could or should I try? Thanks

[Prudie]

What did it smell of? have you checked the pump and heater are working correctly?

[patrickstar]

Hi Prudie. It smelt like the cat had done something! After realising she was being looked after whilst we were away for the night it became apparent it was the fishtank. The water smelt stagnant. The pump is working and clean plus heater element seems ok too. :-/

[B00]

Is the filter blocked?

Have oyu checked the PH levels?

[Prudie]

I was going to add have you really cleaned out the filter as it could have gunge in it. Trouble with changing a lot of the water is you are removing the 'good' stuff at the same time. As Boo suggests test the water with a kit if you can.

[patrickstar]

Hi BOO. Havn't checked the PH levels so will do that but filter does not seem to be blocked. Will buy some new filters tomorrow when the pet shop opens to rule that out. Still unsure why it smelt so bad. Apart from the dead fish all the others seem to be swimming about quite happily.

[wolf63]

Maybe the cat sneaked back in and left a present for you before stomping off back to the cat-sitter. Cats are like that - evil and love taking revenge. ;-)

[patrickstar]

Will give it a boot up the jacksy just for the sake of it then. Wifes cat, my fish ;-)

[wildwood]

What about the thermostat? It may have been stuck for a while hence the dead fish. Doesn't account for the bad smell this soon though.
Did you notice if the water cool or warm when you came back?
Unless your tank is heavily overstocked, it is surprising that it would go like that in two days. Especially considering the weather.
A bad smell is emitted by brown algae but that would have been obvious.

[divegirl]

NO NO NO.......Do NOT replace the filter pads!!!!!!!!!

Right, I'll stop shouting now. Just give the 'pads' a good squeeze and swish in dirty tank water and put them back in the filter, if you replace them you will kill all the 'good' bacteria which will result in an ammonia spike and you WILL lose all of the fish.

As for the smell, just do a 30% water [and gravel vac] change every other day for a week and only feed sparingly and all should be fine.

Lisa x