New tank cycling problems...

[ben78]

Not so much a problem with the tank though - its my pregnant wife, she really really really can't handle the smell (I'm a week into the cycle) it's so bad I have had to drain the tank off to stop it.......
Soooo how can I do a cycle that doesn't involve the cycle, and so the stink being inside?
I am envisaging a great big plastic tub set up with live rock and water etc out in the shed that will be left to its own devices for a couple of months. Once it has finished, transfer the rock and water to the main tank inside where a mini-cycle will ensue without too much stink and a happy wife?
I am ready to go cichlids, but she wants chromis and clowns...
Cycle without stink? (well, inside at least!)

 

[sweetdawn]

i never noticed a bad smell with my tanks. i bought cured live rock though. your idea will probably work

 

[dejaco]

Yes garbage can - mixed saltwater - heater - powerhead. Let run 10 to 14 days, then drin off some water and do a water change. Wait another two weeks then lightly scrub and rinse each piece, refill with rock and fresh saltwater, let run 2 weeks and walla it should be ready for in side your tank.

 

[robdog696]

glad i bought cured liverock... no smell at all and everything stable after 3 weeks and 1 day

 

[1journeyman]

Did you scrub the rock off good before you tried to cycle the tank?
Uncured rock stinks... no question. I found, however, that scrubbing the rock very well with a stiff toothbrush before I started my cycle cut the smell down to nothing (unless you leaned right over the water).
Not my idea... one of the posters on here had a "curing live rock" thread that was awesome.
Water changes during a cycle would also help...