Pump/filter Has Major Leak - How Long Can I Safely Have None Working?

[Stoofa]

Hi all,
I have a Roma 90 Tank.
Currently inside we have:

5x Neon Tetra
6x Xray Tetra
2x Guppy
1x Mollie
5x Loach

I'm using a Fluval 205 external pump/filter which as been working fine and doing a good job at keeping things going.
Unfortunately the unit has started leaking in a major way.
I've been through various forums and tried the many things to repair - making sure it's all put together properly.
Vaseline around the sealing rubbers etc.

I've got a new one ordered on Next Day delivery (so I'll get it sometime on Tuesday).
Wife is at home at the moment, so she can empty the bowl we've sat the pump/filter in every 2-3hrs as required.
Over night however there is a potential problem - we don't really want to be getting up every few hours.

So to the question - how long can I get away without having any pumps/filters running on my setup?
I want to cause as little stress to the fish as possible, however we need to get some sleep too!
I will make sure I've got a spare pump after this episode, however that doesn't help me now.
Any ideas?

 

[BigbruiserAl]

large water change before bed, then one when you wake, dont forget to temp match the water (slight drop 3c is fine)
The filter will lose approx 12% bacteria per 24 hours so if you transfer all the media to the working one by tueday it will only take a week max to be back on the ball, just watch your feeding

 

[Stoofa]

Hi, thanks for the reply.
So if I do the following:

1/3 Water change late tonight.
No pump/filter overnight.
Tomorrow morning switch pump/filter back on - wife will happily empty the bowl the pump/filter is in every 3hrs or so.
Late night tomorrow (Monday) do another 1/3 water change.
No pump/filter overnight.
Tuesday morning pump back on.
Tuesday at some point receive new pump/filter - install with existing medium from old pump/filter

Should work OK?

 

[Miles_hot]

I suspect from what Al said you'll need to be doing rather more water changes as he said changes morning and night + 30% isn't that big

Water testing might be useful here - that way you can actually see what is happening rathe than guessing / waiting to see the impacts on your fish...


Good luck

Miles