How Long Will A Filter Last

[big_sw2000]

Ok i had a burst pipe, and as a result no electrisity for about 5 hours.

I have a Fluval 190 ltr corner tank, heavily planted with easy grow plants. Im running 2 external filters, Fluval 204, and a Fluval 205.
I kept both filters attached to the tank, and when we got power back on, both filters started working as normal.
How long can the bacteria survive for in the filter, and should i worry about my fish.

Thanks Steve

 

[Tolak]

The nitrifying bacteria will last a lot longer than 5 hours, nothing to worry about.

 

[Gilli]

the fish will be fine so should your filter. I have an external which is sealed and accidentally left it turned off for 24 hours after a water change and it was fine - no blips in my stats at all. Just as a precautionary measure take a water quality reading to make sure.

 

[big_sw2000]

Thanks

My wife went mad, we had no electric, and water pouring everywhere. Ceiling collapsed. Oak floor warped, and twisted. And my 1st thought was my filters lol.

Steve

 

[tomtomtom1230]

Everything's OK though?

 

[CezzaXV]

The statistic that's often thrown about in these parts is the bacteria die off at a rate of 10-12% every 24 hours, though I've not got anything to back it up. But either way, 5 hours will make very little difference to the bacteria. I'd be more concerned about the ammonia that might be building up in the water in that time while the filter isn't processing it, though that will depend on how well stocked you are.

 

[tomtomtom1230]

Heavily planted tanks shouldn't be too much of a problem; as I understand it, plants will absorb some ammonia - not a lot but it might just be enough to make the difference?

 

[big_sw2000]

Everything's OK though?

Ok thanks for everyones help.

Everything ok, well ceiling fell down, plasterboards fell off walls. Oak floor is all shapes. Mess everywhere.
But whats insurance for lol. I work in the building trade, so easy to fix. Just not so easy on the wallet lol.

Steve

 

[tomtomtom1230]

What actually happened? Nothing to do with the tank? Blew your boiler?

 

[ShinySideUp]

The statistic that's often thrown about in these parts is the bacteria die off at a rate of 10-12% every 24 hours, though I've not got anything to back it up. But either way, 5 hours will make very little difference to the bacteria. I'd be more concerned about the ammonia that might be building up in the water in that time while the filter isn't processing it, though that will depend on how well stocked you are.

I once switched off my filter for maintenance and forgot to switch it back on for 36 hours, something went badly wrong with the filter bacteria as within three hours of switching it back on half my fish were dead. i think the dead bacteria were releasing toxins into the water. Certainly if it ever happened again I wouldn't just switch the filter back on, I would probably wash everything out and go for a fish-in cycle.

 

[tomtomtom1230]

Anaerobic bacteria may have formed on the inside of your filter? If all the oxygen was depleted in the water sitting in the filter it's possible but... 36 hours? Too short a time frame I reckon!

 

[big_sw2000]

What actually happened? Nothing to do with the tank? Blew your boiler?

Nope one of the flexi hoses on the bottom of the bathroom sink taps blew. Hot water everywhere for 3 hours whilest we were out.

Steve