Tank stinks!?

[carolinethedog]

1st post...ok had 38 gallon reef tank for 1 year. We have 80 lbs of quality LR (got hooked-up) at least 7 types of corals, nothing super rare, a maroon clown, damsel (can't catch to take out) and a serpent starfish, with an adequate CuC. Tank had been doing quite well, then at 11 months we changed the lights. Apparently we didn't acclimate the lighting correctly b/c we lost our two best corals (finger leather, and massive frogspawn)...they were the first corals we had lost in a year, we were bummed. Anyways, I dialed the lights down from 10hrs to 8hrs as per LFS advice. Lately, everything is just not looking that hot. I finally broke down and had a guy come out and check it out. He said everything he tested came out perfect (pH, ammonia, nitrates...) except for moderately high nitrates. He said I need a sump, so I am building/installing a 20 gallon sump this weekend. He also told me that I could do a 15% water change once a month, instead of the twice per month that I have been doing. The weak link of my tank is probably that I am running a cheap hang-on skimmer, yet with 80 lbs of LR I have had some people tell me that is fine. I am excited to do the sump, but just feel like I am missing something. Anyways, it has been three weeks since last water change and my tank actually smells really bad. I mean like I'm watching TV typing this and it stinks from 15 10 feet away. My girlfriends family is coming in 2 weeks and I really want the tank back on track. I just took my last final and have 2 weeks off school, so time and money aren't an issue. Btw, I am not overfeeding.
1. Do I need a bigger/better skimmer?
2. What is up with the smell?
3. Is the sump the total solution?
Sorry such a long post, but I have been enjoying this hobby and doing quite well I think for a beginner for over a year now. This is honestly the first time I have been frustrated with it. I know some experienced folks are on here, so I appreciate your time and any advice you can give.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

I think a lot has to do with the sub par skimmer. And if your nitrates are that high I wouldn't go 4 weeks without water changes keep doing the 2 week regiment and when you get that fuge/sump finished put some macro algae in there for nutrient exprt.

 

[kraze3]

What kind of skimmer do you have?

The smell I dont know. I assume you took the corals out when they died right? Try running some carbon, maybe do a water change.

The sump is not a solution to the smell or the nitrates. If you incorporate a refugium in with the sump and add some cheato it will help with nitrates though it may not fix the problem 100%. SW tanks can be run without a sump if thats how you want to run it. I think sumps are a great way to add more water volume, hide your equipment, and the refugium is a great idea for tanks. Your LFS may have mentioned a sump because they are trying to sell you something. I would say it will be beneficial and a great addition to the tank, but you can make one with a fish tank and save $$$.

Back to the nitrates... How high were they? How much and how often do you feed? Do you have any filter socks, pads, or sponges? If so clean them thoroughly and do this twice a week. What do you have for substrate.

 

[kraze3]

ohhh i forgot....


[welcome]

 

[carolinethedog]

Probably 2 inch of LS, I was feeding a cube of Daphia or brine shrimp (I know like McDonalds burgers) per day...found out 1-2 months ago, that was to much. Now I feed a small pinch of cyclo-peeze or spirulina once per day. I want to say nitrates were 25??? not sure. I do normally test my pH and nitrates, and I am probably going to do a big water change when I add the sump Sat. morning. Anyways, its just weird, like our tank has gone halfway to crap in a month or two. Also, the finger leather I removed...but he said not to remove the frogspawn as it is just bleached and he said has a 50/50 shot. I has some pigment still, but he said wont be so bad to give a chance, unlike finger leather which he said would destroy tank while dying. I have tons of flow Btw. Its weird, like my mushrooms and gorgonian look great, xenia has been better but still looks good. Yet we lost two corals and even the zoas look bloated and unhappy.

 

[fasteddie99]

The best thing that works for me to keep the smell down is to direct a lot of flow towards the surface of the water. I have 2 Koralia 3's and a Maxi jet in a 55 all pointed upward. When I feed I shut the pumps off. If I leave them off for more than 5 minutes it starts to smell. Give it a shot.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

good surface movement is a necessity. And with a 38 gallon tank you don’t have much room for error.
and
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[turretdr]

I agree, surface agitation will probably help with the smell. Running carbon will also help.