How long can bacteria live?

Hi everyone. I'm new to the board and fishkeeping too! I was wondering if anyone might know how long our favorite buddies, the ammonia and nitrite eating bacteria will live without fish in the tank.

I bought a 20 gal tank last weekend and got it up and running. I have a nicely cycled 10 gallon already and moved my 6 bleeding heart tetras and Schwart's cory over to the new tank tonight along with my sponge from the old filter and most of the fake plants. I vacuumed the gravel and replaced about 75% of the water in the old tank. I'll be getting a few small fish tomorrow for the 10 gal and was just wondering if the bacteria will be ok til then. I imagine I may have a mini-cycle in both aquariums, but hopefully not too bad!!

Thanks for all the wonderful info on the board and I hope someone can help with this question!

Thanks Ghost_knife! I'll be off to get a few neon tetras as soon as the LFS opens. My other tetras and cory are sure enjoying their new digs. I'll get a few companions for the cory in a few weeks as soon as I see that the water is good.

Thank again!