scriabin

About a week ago I added some raw tuna to my 10g tank - I'm leaving town tomorow for three weeks and letting it cycle. But boy, it's starting to smell, is it possible I added too much? The piece was basically one square inch and about a CM thick - too much for a 10g? Should I remove some?

Also, dead flies are starting to drown in the water and sink to the bottom - should I be removing them or just leave them to decompose? Will covering the tank completely to keep out flies mess with the bacteria?

Thanks!

Jonathan

capekate

Hi Jonathan
Its possible that you used too much fish for the ten gal. Also, its possible that the tuna which is an oily fish, was not the best choice. In my opinion, I would empty the tank, and start over. Knowing the water smells and flies are around, they will just lay eggs on the tank while your gone and it may be horrible to come home to.
I can say from my own experience that when I used raw shrimp to cycle my tank, it didnt leave any odor in the water.
I think if you started with a clean tank of water, and half to 1/4 of a small raw shrimp your tank may cycle for you without all the smell...
Leaving the tank for three weeks, with enough ammonia (produced by the piece of shrimp as it decays) you may be able to grow a colony of good bacteria for your nitrogen cycle to complete by the time you get home.