weird water smell?

[tmz]

when i fed my fish today, i noticed a strange odor from the tank. it's almost a urine smell (not to be gross or anything, its just the only thing remotely similar).

does this mean ammonia levels are too high?

i'm currently using a 2.5 gallon tank. i got it on friday. could the smell be from just everything being new?

i'm doing a full water change tomorrow morning regaurdless of what the cause is. but i am very curious to know the source, if anyone knows what it could be.

my fish has been mildy affected i think. its a little more lethargic then usual.

[Meatpuppet]

it may be your tank is trying to cycle. my tank is cycling and it had a smell. i thought it was like lemons.

[Flashygrrl]

Yeah, it could be cycling...don't do a full water change, it'll make everything start back at square one and the drastic changes in ammonia will stress Bagel.

[Kim]

If is is cycling, you may need to do daily partial water changes to keep your fish healthy. This will prolong the cycle, but save your fish from ammonia poisoning.

[tmz]

what is cycling?

and about how much water should i change?

[tmz]

Update:

i did around a 50% water change and Bagel's already more active.

[Meatpuppet]

cycleing is just letting your tank run while adding food or waste to build up ammonia witch turns to nitrite then to nitrate. (by now you should do a big water change) This process builds up benificial bacteria and your
ammonia should be 0
nitrite= 0
nitrate= under 20ppm
and yes you will need a master liquid test kit to test the water continually. after thats done you should do 25% water changes every couple days

well since you already added a fish you could just keep doing about 30% water changes every 2 days so the cycle doesnt strees you betta

[tmz]

i've been meaning to get one of the liquid water test kits. now that i finally have some money i will look into it.

thanks for all the info everyone =)

[Flashygrrl]

:) You can order your heater and the test kit all at one place: http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS...rmastertestkit

If you had the Aqueon in mind (which it's kinda overkill for a 2.5 gallon), they carry those too and cheaper than Petco.

[tmz]

oh wow. thanks :D