How to Get Rid of the Smell From My Fishtank

A smelly fish tank is usually due to an accumulation of decaying food, waste product, a buildup of algae or even a dead and decaying fish. These issues are often due to overfeeding, overcrowding and irregular cleaning. The best way to eliminate the smell is to clean the tank. Perform a thorough cleaning once a month, to prevent recurrence, and keep the fish healthy.

Things You'll Need

  • Bucket
  • Water conditioner (optional)
  • Dip net
  • Bowl
  • Siphon
  • Scoop
  • Strainer
  • Cloth, paper towel or scouring pad
  • Filter brush
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Instructions

    • 1

      Fill a bucket with enough water to replace the water in your tank. Let it sit for at least 24 hours to eliminate the chlorine content. You can avoid this step if you have a treatment for chlorine. A few drops of the product eliminates chlorine in a few minutes.

    • 2

      Check the tank, especially hidden areas behind the filter and tank decorations, for a dead fish. Remove any with your net and discard it appropriately.

    • 3

      Pick a bowl big enough to contain the fish and fill it with some water from the tank. Transfer the fish from the tank to the bowl and place the bowl in a safe location.

    • 4

      Remove the water in the tank with a siphon and a bucket. If you do not have a siphon, use a bowl to scoop up the water and empty it into a sink or the toilet. You may have to make several trips until the tank is empty.

    • 5

      Take the gravel out of the tank with a net or scoop and place it in a strainer. Place the strainer in a bowl filled with hot water. Move the gravel around to rinse off any waste and food sediments. Set the strainer aside.

    • 6

      Remove any decorative items in the tank. Rinse them with hot water to remove any buildup of dirt and algae.

    • 7

      Use hot water and a cloth, paper towel or scouring pad to clean the walls and bottom of the fish tank. If you use a scouring pad, make sure it is not abrasive enough to scratch the tank. Rinse the cloth, towel or pad frequently as you clean. Rinse the tank clean when done.

    • 8

      Replace the gravel and fill the tank with the treated water. The water should be the same temperature as the one in the bowl holding the fish. Replace the decorations.

    • 9

      Use a net to scoop the fish out of the bowl and put them in the fish tank. Throw out the dirty water in the bowl.

    • 10

      Clean the filtering device about a week to two weeks later. The delay is because the filter contains helpful bacteria which are necessary to balance the environment after the water change. Clean the internal part of the device with a filter brush and rinse it clean. Insert a new filter sponge, if necessary, and return the device to the tank.