How Long Does Filter Media Bacteria Last Without Fish?

[skiltrip]

Here's my latest...

I have another tank I'm moving my redtail shark to. I used tank water from my cycled tank, and one of my filters from that tank that's seeded with bacteria. The catch, I can't catch my redtail shark in order to move him. The filter is running on the new tank, but it has no fish. How long will the bacteria stick around before they run out of waste to feed on?

 

[Miss Wiggle]

about 12 hrs, your alrigth for a little bit yet!

 

[skiltrip]

ut oh. switched it over at like 10pm last night... it's been about 12 hours. sigh. and i'm at work. can't give it another shot until about another 6 or 7 hours from now.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

aaah, slight problem then.... have you got anyone else you can put in there to keep it cycled? if not then add amonia as if you were fishless cycling it that will simulate there beign life in there and give the bacteria something to live off

 

[skiltrip]

what i'll probably do... is...

put the filter back on the other tank it came from... and i won't put it back again until the shark is in there.

better idea... i'll just swap one cartridge with my whisper60. why didn't i think of THAT first! haha. i KNEW there was a reason i have all the same types of filter!

thanks for the info.