How long will bacteria live in a unplugged Canister filter?

[dogofwar]

Agreed that you're way overthinking this: Just empty the bio media into a bucket of clean tank water and put an airstone on it until you're ready to set-up again. Honestly, the airstone's probably not necessary either.

What you don't want to happen is for a nasty canister full of sludge to go anaerobic (because there's no oxygenated water running through it).

Matt

 

[spas]

I completed the tank tear down \ rebuild over the weekend and the filters are working great. The bacteria looks like it survived a week in a couple of buckets with airstones.

Here is the upgraded Aqua Dcor background:

 

[pops]

I love it!!! great job!!1

 

[Fish Tank Travis]

I know that the op is already finished but just a helpful extra:

If you have to leave the media out for an extended period of time then you can do exactly as suggested with the 5 gal bucket and air stone, and then add a few drops of pure ammonia from the hardware store every few days. This can keep the BB alive for months, probably indefinitely, if needed. Just a thought.

I will say, I am surprised the BB survived for a week with no food source. That is good to know.

 

[pops]

once established they are very durable, long as they have oxygen, given that bacteria can live very very long time.