How long before the nitrifying bacteria dies?

[cougaran]

This question came up on another thread. I own whisper filters, but they tend to be a bit too noisy for night time in a bedroom. I'm wondering if i shut them off for a brief period maybe 6 or 8 hours of no water passing thru them, will it kill off the bacteria? I still will be running an UGF.

The other problem is i got the whisper used and didnt realize it was a whisper 5, does anyone know the gph? I still have whisper 2 and 3 somewhere around because i dont know if this too much filter for a 38 gal.

 

[Pufferpunk]

Within 24 hours the bacteria will start to die. You will need a source to add 02 into the tank though, or your fish will suffocate.

 

[cougaran]

i was going to still run the under gravel filter, i just cant stand the noise from the whisper 5 filter at night. My UGF has all 4 stacks going with aeration.

 

[Pufferpunk]

Then I'd just use the Whisper as extra mechanical filtration, rinsing out the pad weekly, during water changes.

 

[FishLover14]

I would buy a Penugin Mini youy cant hear them at all they are whipser quiet.

hth
jmho

 

[shannen]

Because you have an UGF, turning it off at night would be ok. I wouldn't recommend the for someone using just a HOB.

Some of the bacteria will die, and it prob would not recover 100% during the day. Over time you will kill off the entire colony.

In your case, as the colony in the HOB dies off, the UGF should pick up the slack.