How long can beneficial bacteria stay alive in a canister with NO oxygen?

9085 Views 18 Replies 9 Participants Last post by rangersnoopy24201, Sep 30, 2008

Complexity

Discussion Starter · Sep 18, 2008

I have been without power for 5 days now, thanks to hurricane Ike.

I have 3 canister filters that have been turned off this entire time.

Is there any chance the nitrifying bacteria is still alive inside the canisters or is it all dead by now? Keep in mind that these canisters are full of water that's not moved for 5 days now so they have not received any oxygen in all that time.

What are the odds that any of the bacteria is still alive?

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AaronT

· #5 · Sep 18, 2008

Definitely clean those canisters! Several days will result in some really foul water inside. I would make sure to unplug them so they don't push that water into the aquariums when the power comes back on.

You can also use a battery powered air pump to keep the water in the tanks fresh while you wait out the power restoration.

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