how long can 'good bacteria' survive out of water???

[Bubble_Boy]

when cleaning the filter...you have to take out the sponge and rinse it etc.

during this time, the filter is turned off (no oxygen) and is out of water...
can the bacteria survive this period of 5-10minutes??

[FawnN]

Yes your bacteria will survive for that short of time. I would be more concerned about your filter cartridge drying out.

When I do my water changes, I have the filtrations system turned off for a good 45 minutes and have never run into any problems. I would suggest that you keep it in some tank water and get it back up and running as soon as possible.

[Bubble_Boy]

yes..

DRYING OUT... that's what i mean


cuz it will be out of water for like 1 minute or so.

[Toirtis]

I cannot imagine your sponge will dry out in under 5 minutes, unless you live in a really hot, dry place.

[BASSNMAN]

Just put some tank water in a small clean container and drop in your sponge. If you are doing a water change at the same time, rinse the sponge in the drain bucket and leave it there until ready to replace it. I do that with my filter cartridges.

[mattrox]

As long as it is moist and can get oxygen your bacteria will last. Don't starve them of oxygen or ammonia.... My guess is that they will last longer without ammonia than oxygen though.... I last longer without food that air!