Horrible Smelling Water

[UnicornTang09]

OK,

I have a 125G Acrylic Reef Ready aquarium that has been setup for over 2 months. It was all live sand, live rock, and water from a 75 gallon aquarium that has been setup for over 2 years so it is a semi mature tank. I added no new live rock as I had over 150lbs in my 75.

Last night i put a colony of duncan polyps, and red people eaters in the tank that I bought at MACNA. I then did a 20% water change and also rinsed of my bags.

About 20minutes later I got the most horrible smelling water I have ever came across. It's not the same smell as cycling live rock or anything i have ever smelled. Carbon is a week or two old.

For Live stock I have:

Moorish Idol
Yellow Belly Hippo
Unicorn Tang
2 green chromis
Blue Devil Damsel
Foxface
Lawnmower Blenny
Flame Angel
Harlequin Tusk
HumuHumu

After the smell came the tusk started to go to surface for air, and swimming sideways. So I though Ammonia spike....somehow?

I tested:

Ammonia 0
Nitrites 25
Nitrates 5

Any ideas? All the other fish seem fine. Checked this morning and all are ok but still smells, Tusk seemed to be ok. They are all eating still

Help?

[Loverotties]

Not good to have nitrites!

[fox2589]

i would do a large water change then run carbon to get ride of the odor..i agree with loverotties nitrites are no good..-drew

[Mr.Peanut]

is that .25 or 25 on the nitrites?

Change the carbon. Carbon soaks up as much as it can then it becomes saturated and losses all effectiveness. The carbon could be leaching contaminates back into the system.

[UnicornTang09]

The Nitrites were gone when I woke up. The carbon is now only at the max two weeks old. Maybe I am not using enough for a 125? I have two little bags of it

[Mr.Peanut]

Originally Posted by UnicornTang09

The Nitrites were gone when I woke up. The carbon is now only at the max two weeks old. Maybe I am not using enough for a 125? I have two little bags of it

You cant really put a time frame on the carbon. It will be dependent on the amount of contaminants in your water.

If I remember correctly....... its something like 1/4 cup per 25g's of water volume. So a 125 needs approx 1 1/4 cup.

[Mr.Peanut]

A few other things....do you have a skimmer?

When you did the water change did you disturb the sand bed?

[Loverotties]

And depends on the quality of the Carbon too!

[UnicornTang09]

No did not disturb the sand bed. I wouldnt dare do that because I have a plenum setup. Yes I do have a skimmer it is a seaclone150 and it sits in the sump

[chrisd]

did the water have a fishy smell?
what kind of water did you use for the water change?

[Fat Tony]

What did it smell like?
What salt brand did you use?
What water do you use for topoff and water changes (RODI, Distilled, tap)?

[UnicornTang09]

it wasn't a fishy smell. I know what the would have smelled like. I use tap. I have used it for years with no problems