How Long Do Bacteria Live In Wet Media?

[m00se]

Hi all,

Have recently bought myself a new 300L tank and it came with an undergravel filter. People on here seemed to think it would be a good idea to add an external canister filter, so was looking about for them. By pure change, when I went into my LFS to pick up some pipe brushes, I mentioned that I was looking for an external, (but hadn't asked previously because their prices were far higher than any online), and it turned out that they had a TetraTec EX1200 which someone had brought in for store credit the day before.

It still had all its media in, nice and gungy, and was full to the brim with water. They said in the store that after 24h the bacteria would be useless, but reading on here there is a section for people who donate media by post, which says that the bacteria should be fine as long as they're kept wet, and presumably taking the media out, posting it, then it being delivered and installed would take more than 24h anyway...

Will this be the case? Or should I have a fighting chance at a good kickstart do you think? I got a bottle of Ammonia today so will be starting to add that from this evening.

On a related note, the tank I had was previously in use, and I kept the gravel (gunge and all) and put that in with the undergravel filter that had been running previously. Downtime while moving the tank was about 6 hours, and the gravel was kept wet during the move. Testing my tank yesterday (before I got the external filter in, and after about 24h with undergravel filtration only running), my water is crystal clear, nitrates are at 40, nitrites and ammonia at 0. I wonder whether the gravel would have had enough live bacteria in it to provide yet another kickstart? I'm guessing the only way to properly know is adding the ammonia and watch the levels over the next few days?

Finally, the filter is up and running perfectly, no issues installing or priming it, running like a dream. The only thing is that it's not moving the water around very much (but then I am used to a HOG Fluval U3 in a 100L shallow tank, so maybe I'm just used to too much water motion). I'm sure the water is moving around more than it looks like it is, but I noticed that some of the nice gunge from the gravel that I tipped back in after putting the external canister on had just settled on top of the wood in the tank, and was just wondering if anyone had any comments, advice, tips etc. to get the best out of my filtration.

Thanks in advance again, everyone. You lot are so helpful, this feels like my second home online now

 

[arobinson1984]

The filter media requires an ammonia source in order to stop the bacteria from dying off, this is the reason when many people donate media they will put some fish flakes into the bag with the media and water as the flakes will break down and create ammonia therefore feeding the bacteria during transit.

It all depends on how long the filter has been sitting in your lfs, even if the filter is full of water the bacteria would still die off becuase there wont be any ammonia present to keep the bacteria alive.

I believe without ammonia that the bacteria dies at a rate of around 10% every 12/24 hours, somebody else may be able to verify this so theres a good chance it would kickstart a cycle for you anyway, it wouldn't do any harm

Andy

 

[raptorrex]

the times in the above post seem right. but, i feel, its O2 and water flow that is more important than lack of ammonia. i admit, i have never heard of adding ammonia to media for transport before.

 

[m00se]

It all depends on how long the filter has been sitting in your lfs

I believe without ammonia that the bacteria dies at a rate of around 10% every 12/24 hours, somebody else may be able to verify this so theres a good chance it would kickstart a cycle for you anyway, it wouldn't do any harm

The LFS said the guy had had it running and it was still warm from use when he brought it in about 1:30pm on Wednesday. I picked it up at about 2:00pm on Thursday, and had it running in my current tank at 3:30.

Thanks, guys. All this is helpful. I'll whack in some ammonia tonight and see how it does by the morning. Want to transfer my fish. Might even overhaul my current tank and try my luck with some puffers. Those little guys look sweeeeeeeeeeet

 

[bagu]

if you take out your media, i think it dies off at like 10% a day i believe =]

haha go get some puffs! they are epic haha

 

[m00se]

haha go get some puffs! they are epic haha

dwarf puffers? SA? they both seem pretty cool tbh

 

[arobinson1984]

Yes many people when transporting filter media will but it in a bag with 50% water, 50% air and add a few flakes of fish food because without ammonia the bacteria will die off.

Andy

 

[raptorrex]

Yes many people when transporting filter media will but it in a bag with 50% water, 50% air and add a few flakes of fish food because without ammonia the bacteria will die off.

Andy

it will die off for lack of air/02, before it dies of starvation. as you state "a few flakes". adding ammonia, is little short of potty.

 

[bagu]

all puffers are beautiful

 

[arobinson1984]

Yes many people when transporting filter media will but it in a bag with 50% water, 50% air and add a few flakes of fish food because without ammonia the bacteria will die off.

Andy

it will die off for lack of air/02, before it dies of starvation. as you state "a few flakes". adding ammonia, is little short of potty.

I never said add ammonia, I said add a few flakes that break down and create ammonia. You shouldn't add liquid ammonia to the bag. Sorry if how I worded it came accross as a bit confusing.

Andy