How do you get rid of the smell of dead fish from an aquarium?

Question

After a 16 hour power outtage, our 150 gallon tank with a full biological load had a total tank death. Water was BLACK. I've changed the water and cleaned the cartridge filter and pythoned the gravel. But it still STINKS!! What steps are required to de-stinkify and get it ready to re-populate?

Answer 1

:( sorry for your tank loss..

Empty out your tank completely and let it air out, take off the hood and lid.. If you can carry it outside, probably hose it down if it isnt a completely huge tank..

Wash the gravel alot.. Or just get rid of it, and get some new gravel if you're going to start up again..

Answer 2

wow, im so sorry about your tank man, thas awful, it must have taken a while to set up a tank like that, anyway yeah you need to empty all the water out most likely, and start over, that would be my suggestion, because even if u replace the filter cartridges and what not, whats left of the water you didnt treat or remove could kill the next fish you introduce, so as bad and awful and expensive as it sounds, you might have too, good luck man, i hope it works out

Answer 3

clean it well then add carbon and zeolite will help

Answer 4

Bleach lolz, don't use it, it is too hard to get rid of bleach once you have used it in your tank. It would kill your fish even faster. Use a stereoform to clean up the glass and then let it dry. Thats what i do everytime my tank stinks.

Answer 5

I guess I would tear the  whole tank down and toss the gravel ...it is so porous it would be almost impossible to clean and then get all the bleach out. Bleach used to be a big no-no in fish tanks but not anymore ...soak /wash everything well in a mixture of 1 part bleach - 9 parts water then rinse very well with plain water and then with a very strong declor solution. Declor will neutralize any bleach left . You can use this same bleach mixture to clean the filter but you will need to replace the filter media.  Any plastic ornaments or ceramic or rocks etc can be clean with the bleach also just make sure you rinse everything well and declor them. Letting things sit in the sun may help to . Smell things to make sure  ... a . they are not stinky anymore...lol ....b . they don't smell like bleach...any bleach smell and they will need to be rinsed with declor again. Buy the very cheapest for this as you are only removing the bleach and will be dumping it out after no need for the good stuff...lol. Good luck. ...oh and remember to cycle before adding any fish.

Answer 6

Completely drain the tank and clean it with aquarium cleaner, run the gravel over clean water like you did when you first got it.  Clean the filters and change the cartridges again.  Refill.  It's a long process and you'll continue to smell it if you try to cut corner; however, if you leave it alone long enough the biological filter will build back up and take care of the smell itself.   It's purely a personal choice.  Good luck!

Answer 7

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Answer 8

Hi, I'm sorry to here about your loss. First of all i would get everything out of your tank and clean all the gravel and rinse it in water then i would clean the glass on the tank then the filter and any plants or stuff you have. If it is making the room smell you could spray some air freshener but keep it away from the fish tank. Good luck - fishqueen101

Answer 9

Nothing beat bleach for a cleaner when it come to aquariums. Wash the gravel and bleach and rinse it good. Make sure that you let it dry for at least a day. When you can no longer smell the bleach it is gone. (about 24 hrs)