So, I saw that someone posted about the 40th anniversary of their tank (congrats!) and I got to thinking "I wonder if filters, heaters, etc... last that long...."

So......... if something like the impellar went on your filter, could you leave your filter unplugged but keep water in it to keep the media wet while you ordered a replacement part? (I'm guessing if you dumped tank water in every few days, that would give the bacteria something to eat right?)

*This would be only possible if it was a secondary filter - if you've only got 1 filter on the tank and something on it goes, you'd better get a new one ASAP!


Random question of the day...

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20g Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981
36g Bow Front Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981

No need to panic about a broken filter as long as you have ample aeration and are doing frequent water changes. But yes, it may be a good idea to carry over a bit of filter medium to continue your cycle if you think your substrate won't do the job.

Oops - delete this and see the next post down for my response, lol -

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20g Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981
36g Bow Front Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981

Oh nono, my tanks are completely cycled, I was just wondering if leaving the media in the filters for a few days until you can find the part to fix the filter would keep the bacteria in the medium alive - since there is a chamber of water in the filter to keep it wet.

It was just a thought I had going through my head really.

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20g Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981
36g Bow Front Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981

I don't think it's a big worry. Bacteria doesn't take days to die like people seem to believe. I cycled my 20g qt/hospital tank and in the beginning I was dosing with ammonia drops every week and eventually stopped. About 5-6wks later I qt'd about 12 fish (6 Guppies, 4 Swordtails, 2 Mollies) for a period of about 2wks. During that time I saw a .25 ammonia spike and never saw anything after that and these fish would have overstoked my 20g. That led me to believe that the bacteria live fairly well without a daily supply of ammonia to feed on.

As far as filters lasting....many stories I've read of people have Eheims that have gone 20yrs.

Oh, and you are able to delete your own postings.

Even though the filter media is wet. It needs water movement to keep the media airiated or it will die. Its not the matter of keeping it fed, water flow gives the media air that it needs to survive also. without the movement in the filter the bacteria will be dead within 24 hours

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SUCCESS IS MEASURED BY YEARS, NOT MONTHS!!!
220 Tank build
http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/sta...late-3253.html

Alright - if a filter ever does die, I suppose I'll just leave the media at the bottom of the tank where it will get some water current.

And......... how do you delete your own postings? I only see "edit"...... o_O

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20g Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981
36g Bow Front Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981

Hit the edit button and from there, there is an option to delete.