[RML] Nitrifying Bacteria

Jennifer Palmer (aquamail at mypostbox.com)
Thu, 10 Sep 1998 09:47:49 +1000

Paul raised an interesting point about bacteria dying after 12 hours. The
more recent thinking seems to be that the nitrifying bacteria can actually
survive for many months if kept wet (or humid), although it may go into a
dormancy phase. Many experiences that I have had with shutting down and
re-starting an aquarium's biological filter (whether it be a substrate
filter, wet/dry or fluidised bed)certainly support this.
I do agree with watching out for any anaerobic bacteria growth in a
biological filtration system that has had no air flow through it, and I
would be particularly careful with rinsing out all filtration mediums in an
enclosed canister filter because of this potential hazard.
I would also monitor ammonia/nitite levels for the next week or so Diane,
just just in case you get a bounce.
Anyone have any thoughts on this??

Regards,
Jennifer.