Hello!
My Husband and I have brought our 11 year old a tank too and we cleaned out the tank then added the stones and water and turned on the pump. We left it for 4 days... then got 2 fish one week later one fish is dead so I go and get another come home to found out that the other fish is not well and on his way to death. So I clean the tank only to fill it up and it smells the water on its on doesn't smell but in the tank it dose.

I would not add fish to a tank until the bactiria bloom has taken place and you will know when this happens because your water will become clear ,and not cloudy. Normaly takes 12-48hrs matters on size of tank. Now you should be set to add youer fish ,and just do a 10-15% water change each week with cleaning or replacing your filter cartrage 3weeks.

Most times the bacteria you add has a sulfer smell. This lets you know the bacteria is active, alive, and well. There is a shelf life on all bacteria, whether the manufacturer admits to it or not.

Moved to it's own thread.

Please don't piggyback your question on someone else's thread. Starting your own thread will assure that you get more replies.

Thank you. :)