any info?

[schizo_fish]

I've just took all the water out of my (fishless) 40 gallon. Put the filter heater and plastic plants in a bucket of old tank water. I did this because i was wanting to put something under my stand to level it out a bit, and also because i have ammonia readings even though i havn't added any ammonia for ages and im fully cycled. If anyone can explain why i have ammonia readings i would be greatful (zero ammonia in tap water). also, how long can the bacteria in the filter survive without the water circulation?
if anyone has anything else they would like to say, please do.
Thanks
Richard

 

[Fiddlesticks]

I think with nothing to feed on the bacteria will die off in a few hours.

 

[FishDan]

I am not sure about ammonia reading if you have no source, that is odd.

As for our bacteria, just keep the media wet. The bacteria will be fine, probably for a week. Much of it will "hibernate" as the food is used up. Some will certainly die. Once you restart your tank, give the hibernating bacteria a little time to "wake up" and make sure to feed them. Just don't let the colonies dry up and you should be fine for a while.

\Dan

 

[canarsie11]

Are you sure the bucket never had house hould cleaners in it?

 

[schizo_fish]

yes the bucket is clean, i bought it and it hasn't been used for anything else.

 

[guppymonkey]

Have you ever had fish in the tank? If so did you find all the bodies? I couldn't find a neon and my ammonia went sky high before its carcass floated up.

Also, how did you cycle the tank? If you fed the tank with flake food some could still be rotting somewhere.

 

[schizo_fish]

i've never had fish in the tank, ive had it about 9 weeks. My ammonia source was bottled ammonia (88% water 12% ammonia)