Bio wheel filter accidently left off last night

Odysseus

AC Members
Aug 16, 2007
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I changed the cartridge in my bio wheel last night, unfortunately the plug came a little loose and it turned off without me realizing it. I just plugged it in now, but is all my bacteria on my bio wheel dead now? Is there any hope of getting them back?
 
You may have suffered partial loss. Just monitor frequently for the next week and do water changes as necessary.
 
I did this a few weeks ago. Unplugged the filter for routine cleaning and FORGOT to plug it back in :duh:

The next morning my water looked dirtier than usual and I knew of my mistake 8(

There was an ammoinia build up and a nitirite spike so just keep checking your water and do a PWC. Everything should be back to normal in a day or two! HTH, Michelle
 
you may want to do some extra water changes just because the water inside of the filter probably got a little nasty during the night. i have a small 20g filter that i use exclusively for water movement because it likes to just stop working, and if it's off for several hours it starts to get a little funky in there.
 
If it was dry you probably are in trouble . I also had mine off overnight a week ago but I have 8 wheels on a 120 . 4 wheels were still on so I was lucky. Don't you hate it when that happens ? :(
 
yep having 2 filters is great ! its good backup... Water changes will help fix up the problem.. haha
 
You may need to clean the plastic parts that were submerged. Anaerobic bacteria may have grew there....ya never know!!

It is also quite likely the the submerged parts still hold BB, watch your params but don't scrub the filter, it was only a night, I move filters by keeping them wet for hours without forcing o2.. I would use caution but not go overboard..
 
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