how long can bacteria survive power outage

terror

terror

AC Members
May 23, 1999
1,235
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Manila, Philippines
Hi,

Just curious, how long can bacteria live during power outages.
only 2 of my tanks have ACDC pump connected to sponge filters, Planning to get some more for my other tanks, but planning to only connect airstones instead of sponge? Also i have sumps for filters, but wondering how long can Bacteria live in sump? Can it take 10 hour power outages?

how about canister filters? 2 of my tanks have canister filters

thanks.
 
That's a really good question. I'm not sure I can answer it, but I can share my thoughts...

To me, the key would be keeping warm-ish water hitting the filter media. With a sponge filter, warm water should always be touching it, even if nothing is driving flow. So long as ammonia is still being produced, some degree of the cycle should be running.
 
The bacteria are dependent on oxygen though. I understand the rate of dieoff is something like 1% per day.
 
Well, they have survived billions of years without it and have adapted to some of the harshest conditions. As mentioned already it will depend on the amount of oxygen in the tank as well as food resources, which shouldn't be a problem.
 
bs6749 said:
Well, they have survived billions of years without it and have adapted to some of the harshest conditions. As mentioned already it will depend on the amount of oxygen in the tank as well as food resources, which shouldn't be a problem.
Click to expand...

Bacteria in general do, but the term "bacteria" covers a wide range of disparate organisms. These particular bacteria die without oxygen; in the same way that fish can breathe underwater and we can't, different bacteria have different abilities. Obligate aerobes, like the bacteria we use in aquaria, die without oxygen. Facultive anaerobes do not; Obligate anaerobes die in the presence of oxygen.
 
if you are really concerned just add air stones to the tank and battery powered pump.

the air stones will get the water moving.
 
my unscientific .02 cents: i am sure that as long as your filter material is wet you could comfortably go for a week without power/circulation. someone can tell me if i am wrong

If you want to circulate/airate your water, get an air stone and a length of tubing. stick the end with the airstone in the tank, stick the other end in your mouth and breathe. I would say you can do this for about 3 minutes 3 times a day if you are worried. Or, you can take the easy way out and do partial water changes (if you are not on a well that requires electricity that is)
 
They can survive a while- but they get restless and bored if they can't watch TV.
 
As for the sumps.
With a typical over flow for a sump. You could get a pitcher(bucket, whatever) and use it to take water from the sump. Then pour it into the tank, so new water goes to the sump. I'd guesstimate once an hour could be enough.

For the canisters.
Maybe you could get a funnel to the intake some how. And do the pitcher through that.
I'd think, as long as the intake hose is higher than the outlet. The water should flow through the canister.


99% of the time I use my stuff in the tank for my bio-filtering. Another good reason for that.
Yea, UGF's. : )

We do have a generator now. Sense the 5 day power outage a few years back. So I'll be able to at least run the PH's.
Before that, I'd just run an airstone with a battery air pump.
 
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