I think that you should try to replace the tap water with RO or distilled water. If that takes the smell away then you need to get some Cal Mag to replace any micro nutriants that were lost in the RO process. Are there any other nutes that you are using???
WeedHound, with the roots that are hanging out of the net pot that you want to sit into the new larger net pot you can try to kind of angle the roots into the new pots holes or you can drill some 1 1/2 inch holes in the new pots to sit the roots down threw or just make 1 2 1/2 inch hole right in the middle of the new pots for the thicker roots and drape the other smaller roots into the side slits. Hope that helps.
Adieu