Expiration Date for Cycled Bacteria?

ROZDAB · 06-22-2012, 07:31 AM

I did a WC a couple of days ago and was to lazy afterwards to dump the bucket of tank water.

Well, I have some filter sponges floating in there from breaking down two HOB's at the time of said WC and I'm wondering how long the bacteria will last fermenting in this bucket in 100 degree heat sitting in the garage?

Reason I ask is I am going to be starting a new tank very shortly and would like to use the sponges to seed the new filter.

Also, if the tank had an algae outbreak recently from switching the light fixture, should I even risk using the sponges anyways?

I don't want to use the new canister filter I replaced the two HOB filters with to seed the brand new tank in fear of upsetting the balance of the original tank.

Sorry for the length and thank you very much.

wendyjo · 06-22-2012, 01:11 PM

If you're not feeding and aerating it then it's not gonna last long at all. Not sure about the temp - it grows faster in WARM water but I dunno about 100 degrees.

Diana · 06-22-2012, 01:29 PM

Aerate and add ammonia just like you are doing a fishless cycle. The bacteria will die without oxygen and food. Ammonia is food, to them, and warm water holds less oxygen than cooler water, so keep the water in motion to keep adding oxygen.

PlantedRich · 06-22-2012, 03:33 PM

If it has been a couple days, try stirring the water and check for smell. If it smells bad the good bacteria is gone. Dump and start over.

ROZDAB · 06-23-2012, 02:13 PM

I'm going to dump and start fresh. No need to cut corners on the new tank.

Thank you all for confirming it for me

06-22-2012, 07:31 AM	#1
ROZDAB Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (17/100%) Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Naperville, IL. Posts: 212	Expiration Date for Cycled Bacteria? I did a WC a couple of days ago and was to lazy afterwards to dump the bucket of tank water. Well, I have some filter sponges floating in there from breaking down two HOB's at the time of said WC and I'm wondering how long the bacteria will last fermenting in this bucket in 100 degree heat sitting in the garage? Reason I ask is I am going to be starting a new tank very shortly and would like to use the sponges to seed the new filter. Also, if the tank had an algae outbreak recently from switching the light fixture, should I even risk using the sponges anyways? I don't want to use the new canister filter I replaced the two HOB filters with to seed the brand new tank in fear of upsetting the balance of the original tank. Sorry for the length and thank you very much.

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06-22-2012, 01:11 PM	#2
wendyjo Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (7/100%) Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: DC area Posts: 2,815	If you're not feeding and aerating it then it's not gonna last long at all. Not sure about the temp - it grows faster in WARM water but I dunno about 100 degrees.

06-22-2012, 01:29 PM	#3
Diana Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Contra Costa CA Posts: 5,017	Aerate and add ammonia just like you are doing a fishless cycle. The bacteria will die without oxygen and food. Ammonia is food, to them, and warm water holds less oxygen than cooler water, so keep the water in motion to keep adding oxygen.

06-22-2012, 03:33 PM	#4
PlantedRich Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Pflugerville, Tx Posts: 1,513	If it has been a couple days, try stirring the water and check for smell. If it smells bad the good bacteria is gone. Dump and start over.

06-23-2012, 02:13 PM	#5
ROZDAB Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (17/100%) Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Naperville, IL. Posts: 212	I'm going to dump and start fresh. No need to cut corners on the new tank. Thank you all for confirming it for me