left filter off 8 hours

[Briarmoor]

Not sure if I should've put this in the beginner section, but anyway.

I turned off the filter when I fed my fish in the morning a few days ago (it sucks up the tubifex). When I got home, I realized the filter had not been turned back on. I immediately plugged it back in. The fish seemed fine.

I checked levels and nitrites were still 0 yesterday. Nitrates were about 40 as usual unless I change water a lot. If bene bac died off from lack of running water (does that happen, filter was not completely dry?) how long will it take for me to notice? Will the bac in the gravel cover it if filter bac died? I just want advance warning if a mini cycle is in the future.

I am doing a partial water change today since it is time. This is the 10g tank.

P.

 

[ncjharris]

I wouldn't worry that much. The ben bacteria will also be living on the other surfaces in your tank, on the substrate etc. Which tank in your sig was it?

The bigger the tank the bigger buffer there will be for mistakes - it would be more serious if it was the 10g.

 

[Undawada]

Expect a mini-cycle. My reccomendation is to test your water everyday, do daily water changes as a precaution.

 

[cheekeyarab]

I did that after a water change on my 20g. It was about 7-8 hours overnight. Luckily I noticed it as soon as I got up. Tested the water twice a day for 5 days afterwards and there were no adverse effects that I could detect. I am sure you'll be okay but keep testing the water just in case.

 

[Briarmoor]

Okay, since I am going throught he motions, I may just move everyone into the 20g today and put all the old tank water in there along with 10 gallons of new water to top off the 20g. I'll check the filter and make sure it is big enough for a 20g and go get another if not. I think the smaller ones all use the same size filter pads so I will transfer the pad if I have to get another filter. My heater is okay for the 20g tank.

I have already figured out that I won't be able to get the gourami into the 55g first thing as I want the less territorial fish in there first. Going ahead and setting up the 20g might be the best thing. Before I do it, any pitfalls? I am transferring decorations and gravel. How much will that upset the bene bac? Any reason not to do this?

P.

 

[rdd1952]

Okay, since I am going throught he motions, I may just move everyone into the 20g today and put all the old tank water in there along with 10 gallons of new water to top off the 20g. I'll check the filter and make sure it is big enough for a 20g and go get another if not. I think the smaller ones all use the same size filter pads so I will transfer the pad if I have to get another filter. My heater is okay for the 20g tank.

I have already figured out that I won't be able to get the gourami into the 55g first thing as I want the less territorial fish in there first. Going ahead and setting up the 20g might be the best thing. Before I do it, any pitfalls? I am transferring decorations and gravel. How much will that upset the bene bac? Any reason not to do this?

P.

There isn't any use to transfer water from one tank to another EXCEPT when the pH of the tank water is considerably different from your tap water. There isn't any beneficial bacteria in the water. It is all attached to surfaces - filter, substrate, walls, plants & decoration. If there is a big difference in pH though, transfering it would help ease the risk of pH shock in switching thing out. Even if you do transfer it, be careful about the pH since you are going to be adding more water than you are transfering.

I would definitely move everything over. If you move it straight over, you shouldn't see much lose of bacteria at all. Even if the filter won't fit the new tank, hang the filter pack (if it is that type) in the new tank. That will get the bacteri transfered over until more new bacteria form on the new filter.

As for harming your bacteria colony by leaving the filter off, I don't think you have much to worry about. I have done that before with no ill effects. I also went on vacation for a week earlier this month and forgot to add a dose of ammonia to a 5 gallon tank that had just finished cycling. I came back, added enough ammonia to raise the pH to about 2 and the ammonia and nitrites were gone in about 24 hours. That was after the tank set for 5 days without ammonia.

 

[Briarmoor]

Thanks for all the hints and helpful advice. I have the 20g set up now. I bought a new filter that has a biowheel. I didn't have time to consult the list, but the LFS seems to have one on all their tanks, so I hope the extra $$ is worth it.

Question 1: Should I also run the old filter since it will fit on the back of the 20g? Will this inhibit bacteria growth in the new filter somehow? Or should I just squeeze part of the old filter into the back of the new filter? Would that colonize it faster?

I have an airstone going and 4 live plants. I am hoping they had some bene bac in their roots, but none were in baskets, so probably not much help except what might be on their leaves. I have a live plant in the 10g I can move too.

Question 2: I plan to put the old substrate in panty hose tied off on each end. Should I bury this slightly under the new substrate or just lay it on top? I will put both decorations in the new tank as well.

How much of a mini cycle do you think this might cause from all the switching, if any? The LFS guy seemed to think it all sounded good.

P.

 

[rdd1952]

1) I would definitely run the old filter (provided it has been kept wet the entire time and had a source of ammonia to keep the bacteria fed). There would be a substantial amount of bacteria which would help the new tank cycle a lot quicker. The live plants will have some bacteria also but will probably be of more benefit in that plants help absorb or use all nitrogen elements so they will also help with the cycling.

2) It really depends if you are going to use the same type substrate or something new (and a different color). If you're using the same thing AND the gravel/sand you have isn't covered with algae of something like that, I would just rinse it lightly (to help get any food particles out of it) in the tank water and move it over. If you want a different substrate, using the panty hose will work fine. I would just lay it on top of the new substrate or even just hang it over the edge of the tank into the water. As long as it is in the tank somewhere, that's all that matters.

3) The length of the mini cycle depends on how many fish you had it the original tank. A tank is only cycled for the population of the tank. The bacteria colony only develops enough to handle the waste (ammonia) of the fish in the tank. If you had 10 tetras in the first tank and move them to this tank, you should see only a very minimal mini cycle (may not see one at all). Just add new fish slowly just like you're starting a tank from scratch and cycling with fish which technically, you are.

 

[Briarmoor]

rdd,

You have really been a big help. I am going to move everyone today into the 20g. It is all the same fish, just a bigger environment for them until the gourami can move into the 55g.

Knowing I don't have to bury the old substrate is wonderful news. The tank will look kinda funny with panty hose full of gravel hanging in there, but hey, do what works and is easiest.

Q1: I will run the old filter on the back of the 20g for awhile. I guess that means I will have to cycle the 10g all over again since it won't have any fish in it or a filter? Or just add fish to it once I'm sure the 20g is cycled? I thought about a betta and/or some black neons in it. Or just neons since it is a small tank. I will add something to the 20g once the gourami vacates to the 55g (if it ever fishless cycles!).

Q2: I'll make sure pH is similar before moving everyone. I read that the neons don't like a lot of water changes, so that's why I was going to move some of the water from the 10g to the 20g. Not necessary if the pH is close?

Q3: Will leaving the airstone going in the 10g and the heater help keep the system ready for when I can put the old filter back up and add other fish? Or if I don't use all the water out of it, should I plan to dump all the old water and start with new? Or should I add a drop or 2 of ammonia or some fish waste to it to keep the bene bac alive in it until I add fish and just do a partial change?

I am guessing I will need to leave the old filter on the back of the 20g until the levels are right and I am not sure how long that will take, but guessing not very since so much of the old 10g tank is going into the new 20g. And I can just take the panty hose gravel and put it back in the 10g when I am done. Just need new decorations for it.

It is great having one cycled tank in the house, even if it is just a little ole 10 gallon.

P.