How Long Does Good Filter Bacteria Stay Alive Out Of Water?

Starfishpower · Jun 9, 2008

i just switched filters on my 10 gallon 2 days ago. the old one with most of its mature filter media has been sitting out of water since then. i just put it in a container with some tank water in it so it wolnt all dry out completely. has it been to long? do you think all the good bacteria is dead? in other words if i installed the filter on a new tank with the same filter padding would i need to recycle it or have i screwed it up?

Dorkhedeos · Jun 9, 2008

If it wasnt submerged in water the whole time, I would say all of the bacteria is dead. If it was submerged in water, you will have im guessing like 10% of the bacteria that was on the filter. You will need a few days to get the population back up. Try to get that filter pad into a tank as soon as you can.

Starfishpower · Jun 9, 2008

i was afraid of that. its all dead then. i guess my next best option is to get some mature material of some kind to put in there when i start it up. i have a friend that works at a lfs who can get me that. what would you recommend i ask him for? gravel, padding... ect. ?? the situation is im trying to purchase and set up a qt tank as fast as possible to get a tire track eel in. a wal mart near me just got some in at about 7" and i want one really badly. i need a temporary place to put him just so i can make the purchase and not miss out.

ALEXF · Jun 9, 2008

Starfishpower said:
i was afraid of that. its all dead then. i guess my next best option is to get some mature material of some kind to put in there when i start it up. i have a friend that works at a lfs who can get me that. what would you recommend i ask him for? gravel, padding... ect. ?? the situation is im trying to purchase and set up a qt tank as fast as possible to get a tire track eel in. a wal mart near me just got some in at about 7" and i want one really badly. i need a temporary place to put him just so i can make the purchase and not miss out.

i would stack your pad in with the new one so that way the bacteria colonizes on both. Then when your ready to add the eel move the pad over to the filter and you should be good to go. I would definately try to give it a few days to grow new bacteria. and i would also try to get some padding from your friend, add them both to the qt tank. does that make sence? I mean i keep a spare filter pad in my main tank for just such an occasion.

Starfishpower · Jun 9, 2008

yes, that makes sense. in fact i did that. the spare got put in the new filter and the other just sat out with the HOB itself :crazy:

i dont know what im going to do. im in such a hurry to get one. i hope i dont make a mistake.

i have another important question. i have an old filter that has been sitting out in a box for about 2 months now and still has the filter pad in it. would it be bad if i plugged it up and just used that old pad until i can afford another one in a few days/week. in other words, do old somewhat used filter pads go bad or are they salvageable? can i plug it up tonight an go get the eel tomorrow morning?

ALEXF · Jun 9, 2008

if for some reason you get it and it hasnt colonized enough yet.... test the water frequently and change water frequently.... as long as you can keep your levels down you should be ok.