Getting my new tank!!!!

**Ashley** · 06-07-2009, 04:03 PM

So I am getting my 110 gallon tank today (which is already up and running, cycled and full of fish). The previous owner had to empty the tank leaving only enough water for the fish to swim in on the ride home. Just wondering, the guy suggested not filling the tank all the way up today, maybe only half and then wait a week. But I am thinking how am I going to run the filter in that little water, and why should I not fill it up? I am thinking he said this because he never uses dechlorinater, so obviously if you do fill it up all the way it's going to kill the beneficial bacteria with the chlorine. But I use stress coat + as my dechlorinater. I have a python and will be filling the tank up this way. So wouldn't it be ok to fill the tank completely if I put all the needed amount of stress coat in the tank and then fill it with the python? I'm thinking the fish are going to be even more stressed if they are living in a tank only half full, rather than one that is completely full and dechlorinated? (this tank has been up and running for atleast 3 years). Help please!

**robflanker** · 06-07-2009, 04:07 PM

how does he not use dechlor? and therefore, how is his tank cycled? the chlor would kill the bacteria

if you fill it all the way up and add dechlor then there will be no harmful chemicals. thus no problem IMO. But I dont think there is any bacteria, so it seems kinda redundant

I am confused lol

**Ashley** · 06-07-2009, 04:10 PM

I'm confused too, lol. he had this tank running all these years with the fish all alive, breeding and no signs of stress. Unless he has well water, but I doubt it. he's one of those people who see all chemicals as evil and doesn't put anything in his tanks. Only salt.

**MonkeyPox** · 06-07-2009, 04:10 PM

Test the current water for chlorine.

**robflanker** · 06-07-2009, 04:12 PM

I'd fill it up, thro dechlor in. You wouldnt be killing any bacteria even if he has any.

**Ashley** · 06-07-2009, 04:13 PM

Great, thanks. That's what I thought. I thought it would be pointless to only fill it part ways.

**jaysee** · 06-07-2009, 04:14 PM

Stress coat is a very expensive dechlorinator, especially for a tank of that size.

**Ashley** · 06-07-2009, 04:16 PM

Originally Posted by jaysee

Stress coat is a very expensive dechlorinator, especially for a tank of that size.

I know! But I like it, lol and I buy it in bulk from a great dealer here.

**thatcichlidguy** · 06-07-2009, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by robflanker

how does he not use dechlor? and therefore, how is his tank cycled? the chlor would kill the bacteria

if you fill it all the way up and add dechlor then there will be no harmful chemicals. thus no problem IMO. But I dont think there is any bacteria, so it seems kinda redundant

I am confused lol

Just a little FYI about chlorine levels in your water. Depending on water type of system your local water plant is using , you may not have chlorine in your water. All water plants are required to use chlorine however chlorine doesn't stay in the water very long on it's own since it's injected as a gas and had to be disolved into the water. Given some time (roughly 24 hrs) it will be gone on it's own. Just comes out of solution like carbonation in a soda. The farther from the treatment plant you are the less chlorine in your water , and quite likely even none.

Having said all of that , the kicker is that to prevent chlorine from disapating many cities have a system to use chloramines to prevent the chlorine from vanishing. Chloramine is very stable and stays in the water a long time . If your waterplant uses chloramine you need dechlor, if it uses chlorine then you may not. Bst thing though is to add it anyway, that way your covered no matter what.

**Sharon** · 06-07-2009, 11:01 PM

I think there's more to consider here...your water may not be the same, unless it's from the same source. Filling it halfway would be basically acclimating the fish to your water. I wouldn't fill it all the way....