Dead Filter: This has been XPosted

[Erin (Eugene)]

I went to a movie at around 9:30 PM. My fish tank is near our door (a
sin, I know, but anyway...). When I walked in a bit after midnight, I
immediately noticed that the filter wasn't running.

I'm assuming that it was running when I left--I believe I would have
noticed, and anyway, I think I recall seeing water movement when I was
glancing over there earlier. I remember because upon seeing the
movement, I checked to make sure my loach wasn't bothering his arch
nemesis (a neon) again.

Anyway, so that means that most likely, the filter was off for three
hours or less. The tank has a few plants in it. The water temperature
and whatnot is fine, so it's just the filter that broke.

Anyway, we immediately removed the old filter (though some water
spilled out of it) and turned on the airstone. After a quick trip to
the 24hour walmart for a new filter (Tetra Whisper, anyone used it? I
haven't heard much and our normal brand is aquaclear, but we didn't
have much choice and will check the LFS tomorrow) we now have a
complete tank again. I'm worried about the following:

a) The bacteria. I'm worried the ones in the tank died.
b) The bacteria. I'm worried that by changing the filter stages all at
once, there's going to be an ammonia spike
c) the bacteria. I'm worried about the crap water that spilled out of
the old filter when I removed it.

Anyone have any words of wisdom? We did test the water and the
parameters were fine, but I'm not convinced that the damage would show
up so quickly. Fish seem to be acting normally.

Also, should I do a water change tomorrow, or not?

(XPosted at Freshwater Fish Tanks)

[Rich]

"Erin (Eugene)" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>I went to a movie at around 9:30 PM. My fish tank is near our door (a
> sin, I know, but anyway...). When I walked in a bit after midnight, I
> immediately noticed that the filter wasn't running.
>
> I'm assuming that it was running when I left--I believe I would have
> noticed, and anyway, I think I recall seeing water movement when I was
> glancing over there earlier. I remember because upon seeing the
> movement, I checked to make sure my loach wasn't bothering his arch
> nemesis (a neon) again.
>
> Anyway, so that means that most likely, the filter was off for three
> hours or less. The tank has a few plants in it. The water temperature
> and whatnot is fine, so it's just the filter that broke.
>
> Anyway, we immediately removed the old filter (though some water
> spilled out of it) and turned on the airstone. After a quick trip to
> the 24hour walmart for a new filter (Tetra Whisper, anyone used it? I
> haven't heard much and our normal brand is aquaclear, but we didn't
> have much choice and will check the LFS tomorrow) we now have a
> complete tank again. I'm worried about the following:
>
> a) The bacteria. I'm worried the ones in the tank died.
> b) The bacteria. I'm worried that by changing the filter stages all at
> once, there's going to be an ammonia spike
> c) the bacteria. I'm worried about the crap water that spilled out of
> the old filter when I removed it.
>


The answer hopefully is in C above. The "crap water" would have actually
been full of the micro organisms that convert ammonia to nitrite, and
nitrite to nitrate. This would have given a boost to your new filter.
Personally, I wouldn't do a water change. Others here may disagree.......

--
Rich
http://www.richdavies.com
http://www.richdavies.com/tropicalfish

[Tynk]

On Apr 22, 7:45?am, "Rich" > wrote:
> "Erin (Eugene)" > wrote in message
>
> oups.com...
>
>
>
>
>
> >I went to a movie at around 9:30 PM. My fish tank is near our door (a
> > sin, I know, but anyway...). When I walked in a bit after midnight, I
> > immediately noticed that the filter wasn't running.
>
> > I'm assuming that it was running when I left--I believe I would have
> > noticed, and anyway, I think I recall seeing water movement when I was
> > glancing over there earlier. I remember because upon seeing the
> > movement, I checked to make sure my loach wasn't bothering his arch
> > nemesis (a neon) again.
>
> > Anyway, so that means that most likely, the filter was off for three
> > hours or less. The tank has a few plants in it. The water temperature
> > and whatnot is fine, so it's just the filter that broke.
>
> > Anyway, we immediately removed the old filter (though some water
> > spilled out of it) and turned on the airstone. After a quick trip to
> > the 24hour walmart for a new filter (Tetra Whisper, anyone used it? I
> > haven't heard much and our normal brand is aquaclear, but we didn't
> > have much choice and will check the LFS tomorrow) we now have a
> > complete tank again. I'm worried about the following:
>
> > a) The bacteria. I'm worried the ones in the tank died.
> > b) The bacteria. I'm worried that by changing the filter stages all at
> > once, there's going to be an ammonia spike
> > c) the bacteria. I'm worried about the crap water that spilled out of
> > the old filter when I removed it.
>
> The answer hopefully is in C above. The "crap water" would have actually
> been full of the micro organisms that convert ammonia to nitrite, and
> nitrite to nitrate. This would have given a boost to your new filter.
> Personally, I wouldn't do a water change. Others here may disagree.......
>
> --
> Richhttp://www.richdavies.comhttp://www.richdavies.com/tropicalfish- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

RIch,
Actually the nitrifying bacteria do not float about in the muck in the
filter, the debris in the gravel, or float about in old tank water (as
many once thought). This has been recently learned (within the last 10
yrs or so) and they also learned that these bacteria are not only
sticky, but are pretty hard to shake loose from the spot they have
adhered themsevles to.
They are very sticky and adhere themselves onto all surfaces.
Your advice about *not* doing a water change because the debris would
give a boost to her new filter wasn't correct.
Actually she should do a water change. Especially after a filter
mishap (shut down and then spilling debris into the tank).

[Tynk]

On Apr 22, 4:11?am, "Erin (Eugene)" > wrote:
> I went to a movie at around 9:30 PM. My fish tank is near our door (a
> sin, I know, but anyway...). When I walked in a bit after midnight, I
> immediately noticed that the filter wasn't running.
>
> I'm assuming that it was running when I left--I believe I would have
> noticed, and anyway, I think I recall seeing water movement when I was
> glancing over there earlier. I remember because upon seeing the
> movement, I checked to make sure my loach wasn't bothering his arch
> nemesis (a neon) again.
>
> Anyway, so that means that most likely, the filter was off for three
> hours or less. The tank has a few plants in it. The water temperature
> and whatnot is fine, so it's just the filter that broke.
>
> Anyway, we immediately removed the old filter (though some water
> spilled out of it) and turned on the airstone. After a quick trip to
> the 24hour walmart for a new filter (Tetra Whisper, anyone used it? I
> haven't heard much and our normal brand is aquaclear, but we didn't
> have much choice and will check the LFS tomorrow) we now have a
> complete tank again. I'm worried about the following:
>
> a) The bacteria. I'm worried the ones in the tank died.
> b) The bacteria. I'm worried that by changing the filter stages all at
> once, there's going to be an ammonia spike
> c) the bacteria. I'm worried about the crap water that spilled out of
> the old filter when I removed it.
>
> Anyone have any words of wisdom? We did test the water and the
> parameters were fine, but I'm not convinced that the damage would show
> up so quickly. Fish seem to be acting normally.
>
> Also, should I do a water change tomorrow, or not?
>
> (XPosted at Freshwater Fish Tanks)

Erin,
HI there.
You caught the filter mishap pretty early on, so your bacteria aren't
all dead. You may have lost some, but probably not enough to make a
huge difference.
Just don't over load your tank with new fish, extra foods, etc.
Absolutely (!!) do a water change. I suggest doing a normal (20%) wate
change and gravel vacuum.
Since debris was accidentally spilled into the tank, it would be wise
not to forget the vacuuming (even if it was done with the last water
change).
The nitrifying bacteria are very sticky. They are stuck (like glue) to
all surfaces inside the tank. The walls, the filter housing box, the
filter material, the tubing,the plants, the decorations, rocks, and
every surface of the gravel. By replacing a complete filter you have
lost a good deal of your bacteria. However, you still have tons on
every surface of your tank.
By vacuuming the gravel you are not removing any of the bacteria, as
they are stuck like glue remember.
You would, however, be removing any possible source of more trouble in
the futrure while the bacteria colonies are building their numbers for
the ones that were lost. I mean, gunk left in the gravel is only going
to create more ammonia for the decreased numbers of bacteria to
convert to nitrite, and then onto nitrates.
This is going to happen anyway, but with the water changes, gravel vac
and a new filter running your tank will be fine.
What size tank is it anyway and what doyou have in it?

[Erin (Eugene)]

On Apr 22, 6:59 am, Tynk > wrote:

> What size tank is it anyway and what doyou have in it?

Hi, Tynk. The tank is a very small 10g, but luckily, also very lightly
stocked at the moment with only two fish. I really hope it's
OK....recycling would be stressful as we're preparing to give our
zebra loach a couple buddies rather soon. I guess I'll have to hold
off on that!

[Erin (Eugene)]

On Apr 22, 5:45 am, "Rich" > wrote:

> The answer hopefully is in C above. The "crap water" would have actually
> been full of the micro organisms that convert ammonia to nitrite, and
> nitrite to nitrate. This would have given a boost to your new filter.


Thanks, Rich.
I was under the impression that the bacteria in the filter would have
gone anaerobic by now as the oxygenated water wasn't running over it.
Glad to know that isn't the case...