horrible smell

[TheCrazyFishLady]

Taking the wheel off, rinsing in (hopefully treated water) and scubbing a bit down. That would pull it all off/kill it. A swish isn't as violent (for lack of a better word). But, does a swish really accomplish anything? I have never cleaned my wheels, so this is all speculative, of course.

 

[xxwolfpackof1xx]

i get what your saying in general if the filter is doing it's job the wheels fine as is dosnt need anything. as for the bacteria being pulled off lets say a filter catridge i dont think youd pull enough off for the tank to even notice these bacteria adhere to anything and everything in the tank so losing a few buy givin a good scrub in some treated water wouldn't have any noticeable affect IMO/E

 

[TheCrazyFishLady]

I guess. Only way to prove is to test our hypothesis. You first, haha.

 

[xxwolfpackof1xx]

lol well back on topic OP hows the cleaning going is it still smelly?

 

[TheCrazyFishLady]

Yes, I am curious if that was the culprit. You cleaned the fern too, correct?

 

[fishiefish51]

Well after cleaning the filter last night it was kinda gross and yucky but it only helped because my water smells great. I'm so glad it went away! I didnt even bother with the fern. Thanks so much guys!

 

[TheCrazyFishLady]

Good for you. Glad we could have helped.

 

[tulip55555]

Sometimes when I get new plants they have brown goo near the roots and it stinks REALLY BAD. Sometimes it's rotting roots and sometimes it seems like algae or mold. I always rinse the roots and disinfect my plants before I put them in the tank. It kills snails, algae and bacteria. I use jungle's clear water, it's potassium permanganate. Here's a link on how to disinfect plants..
Jake’s Planted Aquarium Pages | Disinfecting Plants – Before or After