How to Remove Aquarium Odors

While the look of a fully stocked aquarium may be pleasing to the eye, the fishy smell is not appealing. Aquarium odors are often a byproduct of excessive feeding and fish waste, but can also stem from rotting plant matter inside the tank. You don't have to suffer with a fishy smell to enjoy the beauty of your fish tank. Removing aquarium odors will leave your tank looking, and smelling, clean and fresh.

Things You'll Need

  • Small holding tank
  • Fish net
  • Gravel vacuum
  • 5-gallon bucket
  • Soft rag
  • Carbon filter
  • Dechlorinator
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Instructions

    • 1

      Fill a small holding tank 3/4 full with water from the aquarium, and use a net to catch the fish and transfer them to the holding tank. The holding tank provides a safe place to store the tank while you clean it to remove offensive odors.

    • 2

      Turn your gravel filter on and place it in the tank, siphoning the dirty water into a 5-gallon bucket. Press the vacuum tip down into the gravel to remove waste and food between the rocks. Aquarium odors often occur when fish are fed too much, and the leftover food falls to the bottom of the tank and disintegrates.

    • 3

      Carry the aquarium to the sink, and fill it halfway with hot water. Scrub the inside of the tank with a soft rag, working the rag into the corners to remove slime and water lines. If your tank has artificial plants, gently scrub the leaves of each plant to thoroughly clean them.

    • 4

      Pour the used water from the tank, and move the tank back to its original location. Attach a carbon filter to the side of the tank, and pour a dose of dechlorinator into the tank. Refill the tank with clean, room-temperature water and allow the tank to rest for one hour to evenly distribute the dechlorinator throughout the tank.

    • 5

      Add 1 cup of clean aquarium water to the holding tank, and let the tank rest for 30 minutes. Pour another cup of water into the small tank and let it rest before adding a third cup of clean water. Adding new water to the old water slowly acclimates the fish to the new temperature, helping to prevent shock and death.

    • 6

      Scoop the fish out of the holding tank with a net and place them in the freshly cleaned aquarium. Feed the fish only as much food as they will eat in a five-minute period, and change 1/3 of the water in the tank each week to minimize odors and keep your fish healthy.