Ammonia Smell

Question
Hi Matt Dao.

In regards to ... http://en.allexperts.com/q/Freshwater-Aquarium-3216/Tank-smell.htm

I have the same problem but with a new marine reef set up, It's into the second week of the cycle. I have used 1.2 kilo of live rock, 20 lbs of live sand, ceramic rings and live rock in the external filter to start the process. The smell in the morning is awful, at first I blamed our dog but then thought it was strange when I couldn't find a wet patch on the carpet. Does the same apply to salt water aquariums?...the ammonia smell is just part of the process?

Answer
Hi Chris,
Saltwater is not my expertise.  My expertise comes from freshwater.  But from my research I have read that the smell is because of organic material rotting without oxygen.  The smell is caused by Hydrogen Sulfide and its a part of saltwater keeping that you need to take care of.  It can usually happen in places that doesn't get a lot of water current such as beneath the sand.  You can prevent this by stirring and mixing up the sand/gravel.

Before you do anything that I suggested, I would ask a saltwater expert before doing anything, the last thing I would want is your fish to die due to my advices.
-Matt-