Sulphur smell with water change

[Masha]

About a month ago, I replaced the substrate in my 10 gallon Betta tank with sand.

I notice now that whenever I do a water change (once a week 50%) there is a sulfur smell as the water comes out the siphon. I know about hydrogen sulfide gas that can develop because of anaerobic bacteria, but the substrate is only about 1 inch deep, I feed very, very little, and the tank contains only a single Betta, and apple snail and a ramshorn snail. The substrate seems fairly clean.

The tank doesn't smell of sulfur even immediately after the water change, I smell it only when I'm doing a gravel-vacuum and the water is coming out of the siphon.

I've noticed that the betta stopped building his bubble nests and seems more skittish, but I thought that might be because I recently moved the furniture in the room around so now - there used to be a sofa shielding his tank from the room, and that's gone now.

He swims around and is very active, eats, begs for food, but he also gets a fright more easily than he used to - now I'm wondering if it might have something to do with this smell, rather than the furniture changes.

Water quality otherwise is fine - ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate under 10. Any ideas?

 

[thing fish]

are you sure the snails are alive?

 

[Masha]

Yes! Both are moving around

Sent from my GT-I9190 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[Delapool]

Maybe the betta has been into the baked beans?

I found a few left-field alternatives.

Iron bacteria apparently leave a slimy deposit.

Sulphur oxidising bacteria (sulphide to sulphate) I would of thought pretty rare for aquarium sand.

Iron & Sulfur Bacteria

Iron Bacteria - a Common Well Water Problem in Minnesota Private Wells

 

[Masha]

Maybe the betta has been into the baked beans?

... and working on an alternative way to construct a bubble nest ?

I found a few left-field alternatives.

Iron bacteria apparently leave a slimy deposit.

Sulphur oxidising bacteria (sulphide to sulphate) I would of thought pretty rare for aquarium sand.

Iron & Sulfur Bacteria

Iron Bacteria - a Common Well Water Problem in Minnesota Private Wells

Interesting links! Thanks.

 

[Delapool]

... and working on an alternative way to construct a bubble nest ?



Interesting links! Thanks.

Lol, lol - maybe it would be quicker. Is the tank near an open flame - maybe that is why he is so skittish?? He's thinking "nooo, captain - she's gonna blow..."

I've never seen anything posted like this but thought maybe something different as the sand is shallow. Otherwise following

 

[mikem691]

Is a bottle of shaken up prime sitting next to the tank when you are doing the water change??

 

[thing fish]

Is a bottle of shaken up prime sitting next to the tank when you are doing the water change??

that is some good thinking...man, that stuff stinks. great stuff, but stinky.

 

[Masha]

Is a bottle of shaken up prime sitting next to the tank when you are doing the water change??

No That would be a straightforward answer to the mystery though. I just recently bought myself some nice plastic containers for all my aquarium stuff so Prime was nowhere near.

I think I'm going to keep an eye on it, and maybe do a mid-week bigger water change. I don't really want to do another one straight away, Mr Betta is freaked out enough as it is. He's been menacing the ramshorn, who, of course, doesn't know he exists.

 

[dragon14]

I hope you can figure it out and your fish is ok!!!

I've been a little concerned about that issue with sand since switching to it myself. I need to do a little research though. I haven't experienced anything yet though.

Could anyone point me in the right direction?

 

[Noviceafter2yea]

I hope you can figure it out and your fish is ok!!!

I've been a little concerned about that issue with sand since switching to it myself. I need to do a little research though. I haven't experienced anything yet though.

Could anyone point me in the right direction?

I was just about to post a question about changing to sand and cleaning. My julii cories are losing barbels and I am considering changing from gravel. In a prior post weeks ago, I posted pics of the gravel and from the feedback it sounded like the gravel was okay.

If sand stinks, maybe it isn't the best idea. What about smooth pebbles?

Although, I vacuum once a week and that stinks too. Is it possible' OP you are feeding smashed peas? I thought that might explain my stench since I do vac frequently - leftover pea remnants and extra poop.

 

[Mebbid]

I was just about to post a question about changing to sand and cleaning. My julii cories are losing barbels and I am considering changing from gravel. In a prior post weeks ago, I posted pics of the gravel and from the feedback it sounded like the gravel was okay.

If sand stinks, maybe it isn't the best idea. What about smooth pebbles?

Although, I vacuum once a week and that stinks too. Is it possible' OP you are feeding smashed peas? I thought that might explain my stench since I do vac frequently - leftover pea remnants and extra poop.

90% of the time corys lose their barbels to poor watet conditions.


Are you stirring your sand up with the siphon?

 

[Noviceafter2yea]

90% of the time corys lose their barbels to poor watet conditions.


Are you stirring your sand up with the siphon?

Right now I have gravel. Was thinking to switching to sand.

Ammonia 0
N2. 0
N3 15-20
Ph 8.1
79 Fahrenheit

 

[Mebbid]

Right now I have gravel. Was thinking to switching to sand.

Ammonia 0
N2. 0
N3 15-20
Ph 8.1
79 Fahrenheit

My question was directed towards the op. Sry

 

[Noviceafter2yea]

My question was directed towards the op. Sry

Cool. I got confused cause I mentioned lost barbels. No worries.

 

[Masha]

Noviceafter2years :

I don't think the sand itself stinks...or it certainly didn't before I put it in.

I don't feed peas, but I've put in some cucumber and a little bit of apple for my snails to eat. I take the leftovers out after a day, but I guess it's possible that some fragments got left behind.

Mebbid: Yes. I do stir up the sand with the vacuum, probably much more than I should as I was worried there was some dirt trapped inside it.

 

[Mebbid]

Noviceafter2years :

I don't think the sand itself stinks...or it certainly didn't before I put it in.

I don't feed peas, but I've put in some cucumber and a little bit of apple for my snails to eat. I take the leftovers out after a day, but I guess it's possible that some fragments got left behind.

Mebbid: Yes. I do stir up the sand with the vacuum, probably much more than I should as I was worried there was some dirt trapped inside it.

That would do it then. Its just some anaerobic bacteria under the sand. Its easy to happen when you have a fine sand. Theres really no need to worry about digging around in it though, the sand doesnt collect a lot of gunk and the anaerobic areas are harmless.

 

[Masha]

That would do it then. Its just some anaerobic bacteria under the sand. Its easy to happen when you have a fine sand. Theres really no need to worry about digging around in it though, the sand doesnt collect a lot of gunk and the anaerobic areas are harmless.

Well!

That's a relief, thanks!

 

[Mebbid]

Well!

That's a relief, thanks!

Glad I could help!

 

[Delapool]

Glad I could help!

I was a little surprised that could happen in an inch of sand substrate. Would that be common do you think? I guess it would depend on how the sand packs down?