Water smells stagnant and wont go away!

[Fender1958]

I have a 55 gallon tank with a Fluval 405 and somewhat of a newbie to owning an aquarium.

I have never had an aquarium of this size before and was defiantly looking forward to the challenge. I was all excited today to get this underway I have everything I need, set the tank up, filled the tank, and turned the filter on.

Unfortunately it was at that moment I realized that I never emptied out my filter almost 2 months ago when I stopped using the it from when I had turtles. All of a sudden the entire room smelt like dead decaying death of stagnant water that has been sitting in my filter.

I realize since everything is dead in the filter I will have to start over with the filter. I flushed the filter with hot water I have done a couple of water changes but the stench just wont go away what can I do to rectify this? Or will it go away once the filter is up and running again?

 

[Mr. Limpet]

Welcome Aboard!

Did you open up the filter? Chances are the media in there is ruined or needs a really good cleaning and the hoses are probably full of gunk too. How much water did you change in the tank? I'd empty it and do a good wash on the substrate if it were mine. Basically start over after a good cleaning of everything.

Good luck!

 

[Fender1958]

Thanks, yes the media is done for. Fortunately everything, other then the media, is new so I already have a leg up on that. Let the cleaning begin!