How to Eliminate Odor From a Fish Tank

When not properly set up or cared for, a fish tank can smell. Setting up the fish tank correctly will keep most odors from beginning, but every fish tank could smell eventually. Here are a few tips for avoiding and eliminating odors.

Things You'll Need

  • Water test kit
  • Tank scraper
  • Aquarium lid
  • Substrate vacuum
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Instructions

  1. Avoid Odors With Proper Setup

    • 1

      Buy a filter that is the proper size for your tank. Filters that release oxygen at different points are preferable for larger tanks. Extra aeration reduces nitrate levels and algae growth, which could lead to odor.

    • 2

      Set up the tank with rocks or substrate, filters and decorative items. Make sure everything you put in your tank has been thoroughly cleaned.

    • 3

      Add water. If you have hard water from your tap, you should buy bottled water from the pet store. Do not overfill or underfill your tank.

    • 4

      Turn the filter on and let everything sit for about a week (longer is preferable). This prepares the water and tank for the fish. If you have a heater or any timers, you should test these during this waiting period.

    • 5

      Put a lid on the tank to reduce algae growth and water evaporation. Algae can be a major source of odor.

    • 6

      Add the proper number of fish. You should have 1 gallon of water for each tropical fish and 3 gallons for each goldfish at the very most.

    Eliminate Odors From a Fish Tank in Use

    • 7

      Remove about 50 percent of the water. Replace with fresh, clean water.

    • 8

      Clean the tank using a gravel vacuum. Try to eliminate as much of the waste as possible in the tank.

    • 9

      Scrape algae from the sides of the tank.

    • 10

      Change the filter cartridges. You may need to buy a better filter if yours is continuously dirty or covered in algae.

    • 11

      Remove excess fish. There should only be one tropical fish per gallon of water. More fish create extra waste, which can lead to odor.

    • 12

      Wait a day and replace another 25 percent of the water. This should clear up any excess waste buildup.

    • 13

      Test the water's ammonia and nitrate levels using tests available at most pet and aquarium stores. You may need to add drops to reduce excessive ammonia. If you don't want to add medicine, then you should wait another day, vacuum the rocks, replace another 25 percent of the water and then retest. You are trying to eliminate excessive waste from the water.

    • 14

      Keep an eye on the amount of food you feed the fish. If the fish aren't finishing the food in 2 minutes, you are overfeeding them. Reduce the amount you feed them in the future.