Tank smells faintly like cat pee

[hearttx]

My setup is approx. 2 months old. Ammonia 0 Nitrite 0 Nitrate 5 Phosphate .5. While this tank is new I am not new to the hobby and my other 2 tanks in the past never had this smell.I am timely with water changes at 10% per week.Yes I have cats but none of them mark around the house as well the smell is coming from the water and not the outside of the tank or stand. I can only think of 2 things it could be 1. the chaeto I have some how is contributing(I doubt this) 2. My skimmer has been less than good at pulling crap out of my water. It is a crappy seaclone that worked well(as well as a seaclone can) the first month but has now seemed to sh!t the bed. I wonder is the excess nutrients from the skimmer not working well causing the smell.

Any ideas or thoughts? TIA

 

[hearttx]

Other info to add would be Salinity 1.025 Temp 79 PH 8.1 and water is RO water from my house hooked up to well. My TDS is 003 from the RO water in storage and that water as well as my premixed does not have any smell.

 

[Smokey Stover]

Check around the stand with a black light, My money is on the cats marking their new territory.

 

[miroch]

If RO water is left to sit long enough, the ammonia in the water will start to smell like cat urine.

 

[hearttx]

My RO is definitely not the source. I will see if I can find a black light and take a look. The reason I say I don't believe it's the cats is when I put my nose to the water both in my display and in my sump I get the smell. Come away from the water and smell the canopy stand and equipment there is no smell. Believe me when I say I smelled almost every inch of the thing....lol.

Organ donation works....just ask me.

 

[Sk8r]

Blacklight would be a good test. For one thing, it's easy to spill water during setup, and dampness can reactivate an old problem in the carpet. Corners are particularly apt for marking.
If that is the problem, Nature's Miracle is the solution.
How does your water test?

 

[hearttx]

My water tests fine with no issues. I did make a correlation 2 nights ago. I had to re dose flatworm exit for a small flat worm problem that reoccurred. The next day the tank smell came back and was 3 times as strong. The cats did not have access to the tank as I have the ability to close off the room. I am 100 % convinced it has to do with the exit. I dosed as instructed and followed the directions. I don't understand why but it is happening.

 

[Sk8r]

Mmm. Yum. i've never had to use that preparation. Forewarned is forearmed. I'd also keep the cats out of the room until it dissipates---lest they decide you are being invaded by strange cats and decide to defend the premises in their own way.

 

[civics14]

Any carbon?

 

[OrQidz]

I second adding some carbon and see if that helps. Doubly so if you've been using FWE. It's been awhile since I've used that, but I seem to remember lots of carbon being advised. (I do remember how enjoyable it was to watch the flatworms kick the bucket though!).

Could also be cats spraying. They can get the pee in surprising places. Definitely try looking with the special light if you can't track down the smell.