Forgot the dechlorinator in an established tank

[sobersteve323]

I was doing a partial water change in my established ~40 gallon tank and accidentally put about 3 gallons of untreated tap water in there. Did I just kill all my bacteria and will I have to cycle it all over again?

At the time the tank was about half full (20 gallons or so) and no fish in the tank. It was about a min or two before I realized I had dumped the water in there and then I quickly put dechlorinator in the tank.

I also did a water change yesterday. Would the dechlorinator still be working from last night? Or would it have dissipated already?

 

[Mr. Limpet]

If it was only a couple minutes, you're fine IMO/E. I can tell you Prime is active up to 48hrs per Seachem.

I'd suggest the next time you add water/PWC is dose for the whole tank and not just for the water you're adding in.

 

[sobersteve323]

If it was only a couple minutes, you're fine IMO/E. I can tell you Prime is active up to 48hrs per Seachem.

I'd suggest the next time you add water/PWC is dose for the whole tank and not just for the water you're adding in.

I use Kordon's Amquel+. Do you happen to know how long it stays in the water? Don't know if this helps: I usually put enough in each bucket of water to add up to the 40 gallons (maybe a little more?).

 

[jetajockey]

i agree its probably fine. That little amount in a large tank isn't going to have much of an effect even if the dechlorinator wasn't present anymore.

 

[sobersteve323]

Thanks guys for the responses. Should I wait a few days and check my levels before adding the fish back into it just to be on the safe side?

 

[jetajockey]

if the tank is cycled then you can add fish whenever you are ready. What all is in there?

 

[Mr. Limpet]

Thanks guys for the responses. Should I wait a few days and check my levels before adding the fish back into it just to be on the safe side?

This is a new(ish) tank right? I'd suggest testing on a regular basis for a time till it's settled in and matured a bit.

 

[sobersteve323]

It's actually a very old tank. Long story short had an ich outbreak and removed the fish while I waited for the ich to die off.

 

[Mr. Limpet]

It's actually a very old tank. Long story short had an ich outbreak and removed the fish while I waited for the ich to die off.

I'd say, no worries then.