Bacteria In The Filter

[geo7x]

Today I am getting a tank from Ginge and hes giving me the mature filter media with it, which would be useful as my cycle is taking ages , my trouble is that he will keep the filter running until about 12.30, i will get there at about 1.00, but wont get home until about 7 in the evening, will all the bacteria die? what can i do to keep the bacteria alive as much as possible?
Thanks, please answer asap as ive got to go out soon and wont be back until this evening

 

[Ginge]

I think the simple answer is that the bacteria will die TBH. Have a look here for sombody near you with mature filter media. http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=150631

 

[geo7x]

hmm ok, never mind

 

[Bloo]

The vast majority would have died off by then. Fluctuating temperature and lack of constant oxygen will cause exponential die - off of beneficial bacteria I'm afraid.

 

[geo7x]

thanks bloo, i think itll still be worth putting some in because its better than nothing (?)

 

[scubadoo]

do you have any live plants in your cycling tank ?

I'm pretty much at the end of my fishless cycle (I think) at 2 1/2 weeks (ammonia 0, nitrite 0 and nitrate climbing finally about 20-30 last night), but I did add 3 amazon swords at the outset and left them in the pots with their roots wrapped in rockwool - this is recommended as being the second best option to obtaining filter material to help seed the cycling filter.

I'd also add the media anyway - try to keep it submersed the whole time & hope for the best

 

[Egmel]

thanks bloo, i think itll still be worth putting some in because its better than nothing (?)

I think there was a discussion about this in the media donation thread that involved oxygen tablets and some source of ammonia. No idea if it would work but it's got 2 chances!