How long can a beneficial bacteria last without a source of food. Basically started a new tank, put some dry rock, a couple small live rocks from my main, I threw a shrimp in there, removed a couple days later and added some instant ocean biospira. Haven't fed since then (2 weeks ago) I will also be gone for a month and half, figured I'd start the cycle while I'm gone. I put a vortech pump to add circulation and a heater. Will the tank be able to cycle? Also, how will salinity affect the tank since I can't top it off? So far, I have no algae growth nor cyano.
Cycling tank
- Thread starter phixman
- Start date
- Tagged users None
NY_Caveman
likes words, fish and arbitrary statistics
Bacteria are tough and can survive a long time if kept wet. They can go basically dormant. However, you should get an ATO (auto top off) and test it running for a while before leaving. In that time you could come home to an empty tank from evaporation.
EDIT: if you are running a heater and pump unattended for over a month you must top off the water or there may be a serious fire risk.
That's true, I do have an ATO, just got it today, but it will go on my stocked tank. The new tank is a red sea 350, I don't think the 73 gallon display will all evaporate( only running the display and not the sump),but you have a good point, safety first. What temperature can they survive in? What if I turned off the heaters, water should stay around 70 ish.
Randy Holmes-Farley
Reef Chemist
Staff member
Super Moderator
Excellence Award
Expert Contributor
Article Contributor
R2R Research
My Tank Thread
- Joined
- Sep 5, 2014
- Messages
- 67,622
- Reaction score
- 64,078
A month and a half will likely see some decline in bacteria, and I'd check the ammonia reducing capability again before adding livestock.
NY_Caveman
likes words, fish and arbitrary statistics
“Temperature
The temperature for optimum growth of nitrifying bacteria is between 77-86° F (25-30° C).
Growth rate is decreased by 50% at 64° F (18° C).
Growth rate is decreased by 75% at 46-50° F.
No activity will occur at 39° F (4° C)
Nitrifying bacteria will die at 32° F (0° C).
Nitrifying bacteria will die at 120° F (49° C)
Nitrobacter is less tolerant of low temperatures than Nitrosomonas. In cold water systems, care must be taken to monitor the accumulation of nitrites.“
http://www.bioconlabs.com/nitribactfacts.html
Similar threads
