New Fish tank smell..??!

lpmbc387 · 02-08-2005, 01:04 AM

I just got a ten gallon tank and have two goldfish in it.. I followed all the set up directions so carefully, but only a few days after set up, there is an awful smell of garbage comin from it.. and the water is very murky (the instructions said it would be for 4-6 but i dont understand why..) Its a smell that i almsot cannot live with! helP!!

maxpayne_lhp · 02-08-2005, 04:40 AM

Well, how big are your goldfishes? how are the fish now? Do you have a filter? 10 gal is a little bit small.

hawkjm73 · 02-08-2005, 06:00 AM

Goldfish are horrible waste producers. In an aquarium, there is nowhere for it to go, so it tends to get detrimental bacteria growth and other unpleasent effects. That is often the cause of mirky water. First, I would do a 20-30 percent water change, pronto. Second keep doing water changes every couple of days. Your tank needs to cycle, which is to develop the good bacteria that convert the fish waste to less harmfull substances. It will do this on its own, but in the mean time you need to keep the ammonia (fish waste) diluted with water changes. Otherwise, it will kill your fish. Next, consider a larger tank. Goldfish get BIG, and will end up very cramped in a ten gallon. If you system does not have a filter, get one. Goldfish need heavy filtration, and will not do well in an unfiltered system.

**Damon** · 02-08-2005, 09:24 AM

I would advise taking the goldfish back to a lfs. They are not suitable for that size tank (as stated above) and will not last long in there. There are plenty of colorful fish that are suitable such as white clouds, livebearers, tetras, and a few barbs.

osteoporoosi · 02-08-2005, 10:01 AM

a fully grown goldfish:
http://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/fact_sheet...20goldfish.jpg

here's a good site about goldfish:
http://mike-edwardes.members.beeb.net/Cauratus.html

**fish_doc** · 02-08-2005, 04:22 PM

Here is a link to some photos of a couple of my goldfish. These are the common feeder type. These photos were a year and a half ago so they are now a little over a foot long. I have 3 in a 55 gallon tank and they are a bit tight on space.

http://aworldoffish.com/creatures/fr...0Auratus.shtml

Lydia · 02-08-2005, 09:11 PM

goldfish are messy fish and tend to create a lot of waste, so it takes a good filtration system to keep the tank clean...the tank will definately smell bad if you dont have a good filter in there...even if you do, i would suggest frequent water changes due to the messy nature of goldfish

maxpayne_lhp · 02-08-2005, 11:12 PM

I'd rather keep goldfish in my pond. However, thru a glass tank, their beauty has decreased somehow.

maxpayne_lhp · 02-09-2005, 02:43 AM

Sorry, nut the link was dead?

02-08-2005, 01:04 AM	#1
lpmbc387 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 1	New Fish tank smell..??! I just got a ten gallon tank and have two goldfish in it.. I followed all the set up directions so carefully, but only a few days after set up, there is an awful smell of garbage comin from it.. and the water is very murky (the instructions said it would be for 4-6 but i dont understand why..) Its a smell that i almsot cannot live with! helP!!

02-08-2005, 04:40 AM	#2
maxpayne_lhp Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: West Michigan Age: 20 Posts: 2,174	Well, how big are your goldfishes? how are the fish now? Do you have a filter? 10 gal is a little bit small. __________________ ~Nam Nguyen~

02-08-2005, 06:00 AM	#3
hawkjm73 Fishy Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 24	Re: New Fish tank smell..??! Goldfish are horrible waste producers. In an aquarium, there is nowhere for it to go, so it tends to get detrimental bacteria growth and other unpleasent effects. That is often the cause of mirky water. First, I would do a 20-30 percent water change, pronto. Second keep doing water changes every couple of days. Your tank needs to cycle, which is to develop the good bacteria that convert the fish waste to less harmfull substances. It will do this on its own, but in the mean time you need to keep the ammonia (fish waste) diluted with water changes. Otherwise, it will kill your fish. Next, consider a larger tank. Goldfish get BIG, and will end up very cramped in a ten gallon. If you system does not have a filter, get one. Goldfish need heavy filtration, and will not do well in an unfiltered system.

02-08-2005, 09:24 AM	#4
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	Re: New Fish tank smell..??! I would advise taking the goldfish back to a lfs. They are not suitable for that size tank (as stated above) and will not last long in there. There are plenty of colorful fish that are suitable such as white clouds, livebearers, tetras, and a few barbs. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

02-08-2005, 10:01 AM	#5
osteoporoosi Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 633	Re: New Fish tank smell..??! a fully grown goldfish: http://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/fact_sheet...20goldfish.jpg here's a good site about goldfish: http://mike-edwardes.members.beeb.net/Cauratus.html __________________ http://photobucket.com/albums/v640/osteoporoosi/

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02-08-2005, 04:22 PM	#6
fish_doc Advisor to Neptune (Mod) Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Northern Illinois Age: 40 Posts: 3,834	Re: New Fish tank smell..??! Here is a link to some photos of a couple of my goldfish. These are the common feeder type. These photos were a year and a half ago so they are now a little over a foot long. I have 3 in a 55 gallon tank and they are a bit tight on space. http://aworldoffish.com/creatures/fr...0Auratus.shtml __________________ Dave (fish_doc) A World of fish

02-08-2005, 09:11 PM	#7
Lydia Ichthus Owner Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: FL Posts: 1,907	Re: New Fish tank smell..??! goldfish are messy fish and tend to create a lot of waste, so it takes a good filtration system to keep the tank clean...the tank will definately smell bad if you dont have a good filter in there...even if you do, i would suggest frequent water changes due to the messy nature of goldfish

02-08-2005, 11:12 PM	#8
maxpayne_lhp Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: West Michigan Age: 20 Posts: 2,174	I'd rather keep goldfish in my pond. However, thru a glass tank, their beauty has decreased somehow. __________________ ~Nam Nguyen~

02-09-2005, 02:43 AM	#9
maxpayne_lhp Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: West Michigan Age: 20 Posts: 2,174	Sorry, nut the link was dead? __________________ ~Nam Nguyen~

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