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Thought that's required, else how could the bacteria in the filter survive? I read that filter shouldn't be off for more than 30 minutes.
I am using an external filter which is timed to turn on just 5 hrs a day, when the lights and CO2 (45 mins earlier) are switched on.
Do you keep your external filter running 24/7? Any advantages for doing that?
Kindly advise. Thanks!
Thought that's required, else how could the bacteria in the filter survive? I read that filter shouldn't be off for more than 30 minutes.
yes should run 24 hrs
Re: Do you keep your external filter on 24/7?
Ideally the filter should always be on. But if you think about it will the bacteria really die? If you don't feed a shrimp for a couple of day and do not have an air pump it will still be alive. There are also so many cases of shrimp or even fish living in external filters. Surely bacteria are much more resistant to such conditions. As long as there is still water in the filter i feel they should be ok.
It is best to turn it on 24/7. else you will be dealing with lots of trouble with your tank.
Advice from boss Felix
Totally agree with Diazman's reply. What's your initial purpose for having your filter on for 5 hours a day?
But on a side note, how long have you been running this system and have you encountered any problems with it? If no problems then why worry?
Without oxygen the beneficial bacteria cannot live. It'll use up whatever oxygen is left in the water and die. BB requires three things, food(ie poop), water and oxygen. Take anyone out, BB depletes and soon enough you end up with none. How long can it survive? No idea. Why take the chance? Leave it on. Do not turn it off unless you're doing maintenance. Within 24hrs, you can smell it. It's foul. Smell of death.
VSGenesis
"The success or failure of your deeds, does not add up to the sum of your life. Your spirit cannot be weighed. Judge yourself by the intentions of your actions, and by the strength with which you faced the challenges that have stood in your way. The Universe is vast and we are so small. There is really only one thing we can ever truly control whether we are good or evil." - Oma Desala (Stargate - SG1)
http://hisstoryimmortalised.blogspot.sg/
Hi howie,
how you managed to do that with just 5 hours of filtration for your live stocks everyday? [It's just like asking: Do we human still need to breathe when we are asleep? - No offense here...] As some of the bros mentioned, the BB may not survive the other 19 hours of deoxygenated water circulation in the setup. Then it'll be BIG trouble for you...
Sometimes, when I realised that my filter had been accidentally switched off for a few hours (Kudos to my playful son!!), I already can see that the inhabitants inside are showing signs of distress - swimming frantically in the tank or reaching up to the surface more often than normal...
Would really like to find out the reason why you are doing so currently, thanks.
Cheers.Originally Posted by howie
Oh dear... The needs of beneficial bacteria did not cross my mind.
Check with you guys...
1) Does BB come together with the media provided with the external filter? I'm using Eheim Pro 3.
2) If so, do I need to change the existing media now that it's depleted of live BB?
3) I have a bottle of Bacter Max which I got from CRS Haven. Will that help to replenish the BB?
Pls bear with my noobish questions if they seem silly.
Totally agree with Diazman's reply. What's your initial purpose for having your filter on for 5 hours a day?
But on a side note, how long have you been running this system and have you encountered any problems with it? If no problems then why worry?For the past 18 days, I've been running on the 5 - 6 hr timing. There was no particular reason behind this other than the electrical wire for the filter was connected to the same timer that controls the lighting, and I was told not to keep the lights on beyond 5 - 6 hrs.
As far as I've observed, the live stock in the tank was never in dire need of oxygen - there was never an occasion where they had to surface for air despite the filter running for just 5 hrs / day. Furthermore CO2 was introduced into the tank at 2-3 bubbles/sec (which I kept on for around 4 - 5 hrs).
Btw, thanks guys for your inputs and pointers. And don't worry, no offence taken at all.I'm still learning the tricks of the trade (or hobby in this case), in fact, PLEASE bear with my ignorance.
Last edited by felix_fx2; 4th Oct 2012 at 20:43. Reason: sms lingo
No need to add anything. Just keep the filter going. BB still available in the tank. Start cultivating those in the filter.
1) Switch on the filter. leave it on. The only time you switched it off is when you're doing maintenance ie cleaning the filter or trimming your plants.
2) No, no need to change the media.
3) BB or Beneficial Bacteria is supposedly everywhere. We need BB as well. But that's a different story. The growth or high population of these BB is again dependent on medium, food and oxygen.
4) Please don't take it the wrong way, its best not to add any other chemicals to your water unless you have tried/experimented with it. Only chemicals should be in there is your anti cholorine and your dose of liquid ferts. Just be patient. Cycling usually takes 4 weeks. If you have a test kit. Test your water every 1 week. On 2nd - 3rd week, you will see Nitrite. This means your BB is working. Soon enough by the 4th week, your water should be cycled.
Google / Read Sticky on water cycling. It'll talk a bit more about the beneficial bacteria and why its essential for our tanks.
Anyway, good luck!! And any pictures to show? Would love to see your tank. Hehe
VSGenesis
"The success or failure of your deeds, does not add up to the sum of your life. Your spirit cannot be weighed. Judge yourself by the intentions of your actions, and by the strength with which you faced the challenges that have stood in your way. The Universe is vast and we are so small. There is really only one thing we can ever truly control whether we are good or evil." - Oma Desala (Stargate - SG1)
http://hisstoryimmortalised.blogspot.sg/
Hahaha! Ok, got it. The filter has been kept running since I first read the replies from the thread.
Here's a photo of my tank at Day 18 taken about 3 days ago:
More photos in another thread I started:
http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...Low-Tank-Day-0
Enjoy!
howie,
your tank looks like a high tech disco located in jungle edge
IMHO, bb still exist in most surfaces like substrate but can only have more in filter due to surface area water (carrying o2) for them to survive. if only turned on 5 hours in the past... be grateful to what else is inside the tanks. Their your heroes.
Looking good ! can spot growth without expanding the picture.
Learning the hardway, not the highway.
Photo Blog - impervious-endeavors.blogspot.com
Semi-Active currently
"if he cant be bothered to take the time to write his question properly, why should I take the time to answer him."
how long have you been doing that?? looking at the tank lifestock level is low if there is high lifestock i think the water will probably have high ammonia reading......
BB is exist all over your tank if you have been running it for sometimes. But if from the start you are doing this 5 hrs thing my guess is like almost resetting every single day you BB colony.
Good luck.
howie,
your tank looks like a high tech disco located in jungle edge
Had something else entirely different in mind when I started this with my daughter but we are quite happy with how things are turning out.
Right! I'm relieved to hear that! Think I'm gonna do some trimming real soon.
Oh one other thing there is a shelf life for all commercial liquid BB. Once open it is best to finish up as soon with 3 or 6 month can't recall. Too long it will be use less no effect anymore.
Your tank is beautiful! Hmm I only off my canister filter when I feeding bloodworm. I keeping Discus.
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