Adding carbon should help with the smell. Although I don't think you should have a foul smell at all. You wont know when the cycle has ended without really measuring Nitrate (No3). A cheap Ammonia badge will also let you know when it's safe to add fish... Ammonia at 0. You might also want to pick up some Brightwells MicroBacter7, awesome stuff for any tank start up.
Can you share any pictures?
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