Uh Oh

[DiscusKeeper403]

Yesterday I did my daily 20% water change on my Discus tank. It seemed that I finished everything needed to be done, so I did some stuff then went to bed. I woke up today, and turned on the lights to my fish tank. The tank was really quite this morning... Hmmm... Odd. Then it struck me, I forgot to plug the filters back in. Doh! Thankfully the fish are all fine, but I wonder how the bacterial colony is doing... When I turn off my filters a siphon effect happens and all the water in them is sucked out into the tank. There hasn't been any water on the sponges for a good 12 hours... Should be fine right?

 

[cheesy feet]

Well I should think the water would still be in the sponges?Unless they were squezed?

 

[Thirdfloor]

No way to know for sure if your bacteria survived or not, normally without oxygen and food they wont survive more than a couple hours, but time will tell. Just test for ammonia a couple times a day and see if it starts to climb. Anyone near you with some mature media you might be able to get your hands on for a kick start?
Good luck!

 

[Darkstar]

Depends on what time you did your tank cleaning I guess...I've done water changes on my tanks mid-evening and also forgotten to turn the filters on till 8'ish the next morning and not had any problems at all. External filters can certianly last more than a couple of hours though...

 

[Ian H]

I would say all the bacteria is dead...

 

[Squidman]

Ive done that once. I hate it. My fish turned out fine though.

 

[PRW1988]

I wouldn't think the bacteria would be dead, I mean like said there must be some water left in the sponges, plus I doubt that all 100% of the filters water was sucked out, I mean there must be some left... I think your guys should be fine...

 

[n3ont3tra]

Just test the water for ammonia...

 

[shang hi]

this is why i put a stick note to the outside of the tank saying "turn the filter on!" i never want that to happen to me, but isnt it the same as having a power cut, or do they usualy on last a few hours, if that. i pay no attention to powercuts