how long will bacteria live without ammonia source?

[boojumsnark25]

Hey all, I'm trying to keep my tank cycled until I'm getting fish, so i'm adding about 4ppm of ammonia a day (all getting converted)...problem is, tonight I ran out...I can't get more till 3-4 tommorow (about 16 hours from now)...I had enough for about 1-2ppm of ammonia, so the supply should run out in about 4-5 hours, meaning that they won't have any for 10-11 hours...will they be able to survive that long? I know nothing about bacteria. Thanks!

 

[neilanh]

You'll be fine until then. I just let mine go for 36 hours with no ammo in the tank (48 hours between dosing 2ppm) and it was no problem.

This is a good question though, I've asked and gotten 2 answers. 48 hours, and 50 days. So I have no idea, but you'll be okay til tomorrow no problem.

 

[Zagz]

Around 48 hours is about right, 50 days no chance LOL. I wish!

 

[boojumsnark25]

ok, thanks for the replies...i'll be able to sleep a lot better tonight!

 

[7Enigma]

There has been some papers put out on the bacteria's tolerance of no food source. Some say they die VERY quickly without a food source (ie they start dying in less than a day, but bounce back quickly since they replicate so quickly), while others have shown that they enter a dormancy state (ie suspended animation like a sea monkey) that is virtually impossible in our tanks to replicate the conditions for them to "wake up" (requiring >100ppm ammonia). Since we don't know exactly what strain/species of bacteria we have in our tanks it very well could be different across the country/pond.

Bottom line, you will be fine. Your tank is so well filtered biologically you could kill off 1/2 your bacteria and still do a full stocking without worry. So just get the ammonia again when you can and your cycle shouldn't skip a beat.

 

[eduguy]

I have been out of an ammonia for about 5 days. Will the bacteria still be alive?

 

[jlk]

Everyone needs to do some more research on this topic.

First, experience-wise, my qt stays fully cycled to 5ppm and I only add ammonia maybe once a week. In additon, I have helped people who have had tanks sit full of water but no ammonia source from anywhere from 1 to 3 months. All of these tanks 'recycled' within a few days to 2wks max.

Second, nitrifying bacteria does not go 'dormant'- its either alive or dead, thats it. To kill them, you can dry them, freeze them or boil them, but starvation actually takes quite a long time happen. Heres some links with the science behind starvation of nitrifying bacteria. Its been proven scientifically that they can survive from weeks to a year without a food source (ammonia).

Transcription of All amoC Copies Is Associated with Recovery of Nitrosomonas europaea from Ammonia Starvation
Influence of Starvation on Potential Ammonia-Oxidizing Activity and amoA mRNA Levels of Nitrosospira briensis
Cell density-regulated recovery of starved biofilm populations of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria.
Effect of long-term ammonia starvation on the oxid... [J Biochem. 1998] - PubMed - NCBI
http://www.aseanenvironment.info/Abstract/41016439.pdf
Effect of Long-Term Ammonia Starvation on the Oxidation of Ammonia and Hydroxylamine by Nitrosomonas europaea

 

[Wyomingite]

Everyone needs to do some more research on this topic.

First, experience-wise, my qt stays fully cycled to 5ppm and I only add ammonia maybe once a week. In additon, I have helped people who have had tanks sit full of water but no ammonia source from anywhere from 1 to 3 months. All of these tanks 'recycled' within a few days to 2wks max.

Second, nitrifying bacteria does not go 'dormant'- its either alive or dead, thats it. To kill them, you can dry them, freeze them or boil them, but starvation actually takes quite a long time happen. Heres some links with the science behind starvation of nitrifying bacteria. Its been proven scientifically that they can survive from weeks to a year without a food source (ammonia).

Transcription of All amoC Copies Is Associated with Recovery of Nitrosomonas europaea from Ammonia Starvation
Influence of Starvation on Potential Ammonia-Oxidizing Activity and amoA mRNA Levels of Nitrosospira briensis
Cell density-regulated recovery of starved biofilm populations of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria.
Effect of long-term ammonia starvation on the oxid... [J Biochem. 1998] - PubMed - NCBI
http://www.aseanenvironment.info/Abstract/41016439.pdf
Effect of Long-Term Ammonia Starvation on the Oxidation of Ammonia and Hydroxylamine by Nitrosomonas europaea

All very true, but to the average aquarist the difference between "dormant" and "stationary phase" is a matter of semantics.

I don't even add ammonia to vacant tanks, just throw in a pinch of food a coupla times a week. It decays and keeps the bacteria colony goin'.

WYite

 

[eduguy]

I'm guessing this means that bacteria can survive for a decent amount of time.

 

[jlk]

I'm guessing this means that bacteria can survive for a decent amount of time.

It can but you can add some fish food to keep your tank happy if you want until you have more ammonia to finish your cycle.