Bacteria Colonies

[MikeDeL]

Im going to be trading all the fish in my 55g changing out the substrate and re-aquascaping it, before adding more fish. I was wondering the bacteria colonies in my filter will last while my tank has no fish in it. If it were to die off rather quickly, would feeding the tank as if there were fish in there keep the colonies alive? This is involving my freshwater tank, but I guess it could apply to salt also.


Thanks,
Mike

[Spyd3rman]

Your freshwater beneficial bacteria will remain alive, for a few days if the water is unfiltered and/or uncirculated. Be sure to keep most, if not all of your cycled water in water jugs/buckets, for use when you put your aquarium back 2gether. If you have bio-wheels, be sure to not allow them to get dry. Just store them in the buckets the cycled water will be kept in, for the short period in whiich it will take you to "re-aquascape" it.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[MikeDeL]

I wasnt so much worried about the time I spent reaquascaping as I was about the few days after when I will be letting the sand settle and adjusting the PH. Im going from tetras to cichlids and have to get the PH up. Basiclly Im going to drain about 40 gallons of water, scoop out the gravel, add sand and rocks, put the water back in and over the following couple of days moniter and adjust the PH.


Thanks,
Mike

[Spyd3rman]

You might want to add some limestone, as it will bugger your ph to around 8.0-8.2...just what African Cichlids like. :grin:

Keep us posted.