Did I just cook away my beneficial bateria?

[TomFromStLouis]

I went to look at the tank after the office had a planned power outage today. The lights were not on nor was the Eheim canister pumping.

The lights were easy - the timers had not advanced enough to trip them on. Whew. Fixed that one. The canister was hot though. Really quite hot. Hoping it was not a burned out motoer or something, I soon figured out that the heating element was cranking away and heating the water in the canister while the thermometer was in the cooler tank but not getting any warmth because the pump was not working. Ended up jiggling a wire and the pump sputtered to life. (note to self: double check wire)Earlier, I had opened up the canister to check the media. I could reach into the water and pull out the media, but the water was hot enough that I certainly did not want my hand in there longer than necassary. Not boiling, but plenty warm.

So, did I cook away any beneficial bacteria in my media? Since my tank is fully planted, it may not be much of an issue - I will keep an eye on NH3 since the fish load is full - but I thought I would ask y'all what ya think. Of course I suppose there is bacteria in my substrate too, so repenishing won't take long at all. Still, how hot (for maybe 2-4 hours) can they take it?

 

[NickH]

I'm not about to guess on the thermal tolerances of nitrifying bacteria. However, your tank is fully cycled so I would not worry about it. Most of this bacteria is in your tank. The filter just provides a more efficient place for the bio process to take place. I would thoroughly clean the filter media and just get it running again (the dead bacteria could pollute your tank). Don't do any gravel vacuuming for a while so your biofilter can reseed.

 

[somefinnfishy]

I might take the chance and clean it out if you have to rebuild the colonys anyway.

 

[Sumpin'fishy]

Agree with them. I'd take it apart, clean, FIX WIRE PROBLEM, and start over with a fresh filter. Shouldn't be major deal in your tank.

BTW, thanks for sharing your experience with the thermofilter canisters. I think that could be a real problem in power-outs. If your wires are your problem, I'd get that fixed, but if the impeller got stuck (dirty) their may be a problem with the filters with heaters.

 

[JSchmidt]

I would check ammonia/nitrite over the next several days. Whether the bulk of your biofilter resides in the filter or in the tank is very debatable; suffice it to say that many accomplished fishkeepers hold that the filter is the premium site for bacterial colonization, and the loss of those bacteria could cause problems.

If your tank is lightly stocked, I'd predict you'll see no ammonia. If it's heavily stocked, I'd be prepared to do some water changes...

In any case, be sure to test for ammonia/nitrite over the next several days.

Jim

 

[TomFromStLouis]

update

I was just glad that the filter pump came back on and have left it on. The tank water is fairly cloudy; I'll bet the cloudiness is dead bacteria floating around or something.

I will monitor ammonia and nitrites and check that wire connection. Thanks for all the help.

By the way Sumpin'fishy, this series of circumstances seems prety remote to me - I cannot understand why the pump did not just restart. But, yeah, I am glad I came in to check things after the outage. But you would do that with any tank setup.

 

[JSchmidt]

In my experience, the most likely suspect when a canister won't restart is a dirty impeller/impeller well. Biofilm and other crud that is liquified as the impeller turns can solidify somewhat once the filter stops. If there's enough crud, it can bind up the impeller enough to keep it from starting. It's possible that the little bit of jostling you gave the filter was enough to shake it loose.

Keep an eye on your tank; if you don't show ammonia/nitrite over the next 3-4 days, I'd think you're out of the woods.

Good luck,
Jim

 

[TomFromStLouis]

update

The scene discribed above occured on Sunday. It is now Tuesday night and I thought I would add a few words to complete the picture.

When I restarted the pump and filter Sunday, all kinds of white cloudiness filled the tank from the outlet tube of the filter. I figured it was the cooked bacteria. The tank was still cloudy Monday and today it was worse and green with green water algae. Ammonia at 0.1 and Nitrites at 0.3, the first time I have ever gotten more than a zero on either reading. Of course last Friday I added the 9 angels to complete the bio-load on this newer planted tank that I had so carefully eased into balance. So all my care and patience in stocking was pretty much thrown out the window with the bacteria broil, at least for the moment

Ah well, I changed some water and will again soon. There are plenty of bacteria elsewhere in the substrate and so on to rebuild whatever colony I wiped out, so I am hoping the green water which must be feasting on the excess NH3 and NO2 is temporary.

I think I know what I am doing...

 

[Sumpin'fishy]

Don't sweat the greenwater problem (even if it gets bad) until you get your ammonia and nitrite into check. The green water algae will actually help you convert these to nitrate! After everthing is stabilized, then I'd do a blackout for 3 days or so.