Do Salt Water Aquariums Have An Odor?

[Dan_P]

I have noticed that no one mentions odor as an issue with salt water tanks. Are they generally odor free or is it that no one thinks to sniff their aquarium water. Or is it that without glass tops there is little chance of capturing odors.

Could odor be diagnostic of a problem, beyond that of a dead and decaying animal? Anyone ever notice their dog barking at the aquarium when cyanobacteria starts to grow?

 

[Blazej01]

Only if something is wrong with the water. I would do water change and test it

 

[lnevo]

Just a slight ocean smell but only when i sniff inside the canopy. I usually catch a whiff of skimmate while working in the stand, but none of it is overpowering or noticble a few inches away.

 

[DallasNYC]

+1
Slight ocean smell and whiffs of the skimmate when working on the tank, but not much beyond a foot away. House guest have never mentioned anything.

Yes to bad smells from dead coral/Fish.

My dog has never paid any attention to the tank, good or bad smells.

 

[edd]

i get the low tide oder now and then. usually if i feed frozen, the whole room stinks and my daughter does a lot of complaining.

 

[rookie07]

When my carbon is bad/exhausted there is a smell when I out my nose above the water. Same is true after I feed frozen food (smell last for 10-15 minutes). When ever I notice a smell, I change my carbon).

 

[Waleedwale1]

Sometimes after feeding, I've heard that caulpera can result in weird smells as well.

 

[Arnaldo24]

When i do water changes i usually vacuum my sump and clean my skimmer cup. Thats when i notice a smell other then that nothing that i can smell from 2 feet away.

 

[Nandez13]

If I can smell it, it means my skimmer cup needs to be emptied. Otherwise, I don't notice it.