Need help regarding filling tank.

[BostonJill]

I'm wondering if anyone could help me with this one. I am making a shrimp tank for a friend. I bought a one gallon tank and had enough water from a two year old shrimp tank of mine but I only had enough to fill it almost to the top as you can see in the picture. So here is the question: Can I fill the rest with distilled water? Or should I mix up another batch of brackish water and then fill it to the top (if so do I have to wait till it cycles for 5 or 6 weeks)? Or should I just start from scratch and dump the water out and fill with a new batch of brackish water? I know for sure I have to wait another 6 weeks or so for the tank to cycle If I do that?
Thanks for your help. Good to be back on the shrimp board.

[KenCotigirl]

If you only add distilled water you will reduce the salinity. Make a small batch of brackish. I believe you need to wait a short period of time for the tank to cycle. The water maybe cycled but not the tank. The "cycling" bacteria grow on surfaces. Waiting a few weeks is a small amount of time to wait to ensure a good habitat. I prefer to be cautious.

Ken