Aquarium Filter Smells Bad

I just started my tank this last weekend and the filters smell horrible.....water smells fine but filters stink.....should I change cartridges out already? All my levels are good, just wondering if maybe the startup fluid has anything to do with it.

 

Filters stink. It doesn’t take a month for that to happen. It takes hours.

 

Yeah I changed them out.

I read your tank inhabitants...thought you couldnt have more than 1 betta in a tank?

 

Yeah I changed them out.

The smell still lingers

 

But it's better....lol

 

But it's better....lol

Yeah. I swear I rinse that thing twice a week and yet it still won't smell better

 

But it's better....lol

Activated carbon filter media helps with smells, but just be careful not to lose your cycle when replacing old media.

 

Havent had a tank in almost 15 years ....learning all kinds of new stuff...but at least I finally have a hobby lol