need to keep bio filtration wet??

[fishtime!]

Hi! I just added some bio filter media to my filter that hangs off the back. I thought I had read somewhere that the good bacteria we want to maintain dies off when they are dry for too long - is that true? Because when I turn the filter off for water changes etc., the media dries out.

Thanks!

 

[Byron]

Nitrifying bacteria will die without moisture, true. What sort of filter is this?

 

[Essjay]

The media doesn't usually dry completely during a water change unless it takes a couple of days. For the hour or maybe two during a water change it will still be quite damp. If you are worried, put the media in a separate bucket of old tank water during the water change.

 

[Uberhoust]

For the biomedia I typically rinse it out then place it in the aquarium while I do the rest of the maintenance, I usually do this immediately after the substrate is vacuumed and the glass cleaned. For HOB filters I bag the biomedia to make this job easier. Canisters with trays don't require bagging.