Derek

I was given a 75gal SeaClear System II tank today. It has never been used. It has the filter built into the back. I have 4 kids that want it filled up, and loaded with fish by night fall. I had today off work, and have been getting a ton of tips off the forum, and found out why fish tanks in the past didnt survive. My questions are, how do I get 75 gallons of water without clorine in it,and the tank has the fiter in the back, what else do i need, besides a heater. Are the any other things that go back there?

agabr123

aside from the heater (and i'd recommend two for that size tank), you'll want to get a few different things

1. an API freshwater master test kit, this will help you monitor the levels in your tank (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate)
2. a water conditioner, i recommend either Prime or Stress Coat +. they both detoxify ammonia and remove chlorine, chloramines, and heavy metals
3. a python. this hooks on to your sink so you don't have to carry 5 gallon buckets of water back and forth to do weekly water changes. trust me, you want this! 25-50% water changes in a 75 is not very friendly to your back

what kind of fish are you thinking about getting? i suggest doing LOTS of research before putting anything in that tank.

finally, the tank needs to cycle. this process is going to take quite a while, so unfortunately i can't recommend any fish being in the tank tomorrow.
http://www.fishlore.com/Articles/TheNitrogenCycle.htm
http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm

you can get through the cycle a few different ways
1. add fish food daily. the food will break down and release ammonia
2. add a piece of raw shrimp, which will do the same thing as the fish food
3. add pure ammonia (just ammonia and water), some members have had luck getting this at Ace hardware
4. you can add tetra safe start. with this....it's possible for you to add fish right away, but i wouldn't recommend it until you've researched the fish that you're interested in.

i'd also read through these sites
READ FIRST: Freshwater Beginner Important Topics

Lucy

Welcome to Fish Lore
Good advice from Alex. I bet your kids can't wait. Unfortunatly, cycling will take time.
In the mean time, to keep your kids occupied have them start to research fish and compatablity.

Good luck with your new tank

CWO4GUNNER

Yes welcome. I feel bad about your kids wanting to see fish as my kids have grown and left and know how precious those moments are. But technically the recommendation is correct having a boat load of fish while managing kids will most likely only cause the fish to die in mass once the ammonia kicks in before the bacteria have a chance to take care of it. And of course while the occasional normal fish death can be educational for a child, mass death due to poisoning is not what I would have wanted my kids to experience in the hobby. So yes go the long term and in the mean learn about the fish cycle and share it with your kids on there terms perhaps taking them to the city aquarium in anticipation of the wait

Derek

Thanks for the advice, I went to a couple of stores tonight, ans started a list of what we want and need