Hi everyone, new fish keeper here. I bought a new 55g tank a couple weeks ago and am currently waiting for the tank to cycle. Shortly after adding water to the tank I noticed a strange smell. I couldn't even try to describe. I figured it would clear up after a few days which it did for the most part. Last night I did a partial water change since the nitrites seemed unusually high (2.0+ ppm) and now the tank is smelling again.
Here are the contents of my tank. Any idea what it might be? Thanks in advance!
No Fish
Fluval C4 Filter
API Quick Start added initially
PetValu Essentials Water Conditioner
Ecocomplete substrate - did not wash as packing said this was unnecessary
1 Dragon Rock - rinsed well before placing in the tank
1 Mopani Driftwood - boiled for 30 minutes
Several Plants - Java fern, Hygro Willow, Java moss from LFS; Vallisneria and Crypt Lucens from existing tank