Will the bacteria be dead?

[knifegill]

The concern is deoxygenation. Takes a long time to kill them, though, since they (supposedly) just go dormant at first. So the hour it takes to do tank maintenance is nothing. You'd know by now.

 

[Gervahlt]

why would the bb die if the media was covered with water the whole time? doesnt make sense...does bb need water flowing through/over it to remain alive?..if thats true then everytime I service my canisters the bb dies since its just sitting in water????

There are a couple of factors that could kill it. Likely, it's fine. But since you asked for more info:

1) The oxygen levels in to the water sitting in the canister may have been used up by the nitrifying bacteria. Since they're very little surface area, and no water movement, it's possible it could have reached an anaerobic state, which would kill off the bacteria.

2) Without water movement, the water in the canister hasn't been passing through a heater. In the unlikely event that his tank location is below freezing or above 110° F, the temperature extreme would have killed the bacteria.

3) It's possible that the water could have been dumped out by the OP, in which case the media was sitting dry.

Again, all of those things are highly unlikely. That's why it was said that he'd probably be fine to simply give it a rinse in tank water and start it up.

 

[ar0wan]

... In the unlikely event that his tank location is below freezing or above 110° F, the temperature extreme would have killed the bacteria...

I've been looking for a new challenge
this would be hard

 

[ar0wan]

...does bb need water flowing through/over it to remain alive?...

Not to remain alive, to THRIVE.
We preach water flow and high O2 to make it THRIVE.
cultured media in an unplugged filter
will use the O2 go sleepy time and be fine for days.
Rinse in tank water before using.

 

[Gervahlt]

I've been looking for a new challenge
this would be hard

I like to cover my basis when informing people.

It WOULD be quite the heating/chilling system to keep fish warm despite freezing weather or blistering heat though. Hmm....

 

[Ang]

Ok, well, got the cover and opened the filter. It certainly didnt smell bad at all. Just smelled like the normal clean water smell.
It had just been sitting in a closed system with water in it. I just had it unplugged until i could get a new cover.

I was always under the impression that the bacteria needed a constant flow of oxygenated water or there would be mass die off. I figured during water changes it was no big deal, but was totally unsure about no water flow for more and 12 hours.

Good info guys.

Thanks a bunch.