Filter Was Off For 24 Hours

[Kombat]

My filter got unplugged. It had been unplugged for just under 24 hours. I checked the stats and ammonia was at 0.25 so I did a 25% water change. Of course my main concern is the filter. It's a Penguin BIOWheel 200. What am I looking at here? Can the whole bacteria colony die in just 24 hours? I'm sure some did and expect a mini-cycle. I just worry the whole thing died and have to start all over.

Karl

 

[Marcos]

I've never done it but from what I've read the bacteria takes about half and hour to die out of tank water or 3-4 hours in tank water. Best to hope for the best and prepare for the worst, do you know anyone friendly near you that would be willing to donate some mature filter media?

 

[andywg]

If it's stayed submerged I wouldn't worry overly. The bacteria starts to die off after a couple of hours, but it will take a while for to to die completely.

When changing from my 6x18 to my 6x2 I had all my filter media in a bucket overnight with no problems.