Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Yesterday when Dan came over to pick up his fish I turned the pump off in the fingerling tank. This afternoon I noticed a wilted tomato and remembered to switch it back on So it was off for about 28 hours. Can I expect the bacteria to have died as a result or do people think it will be okay?

Thanks

oops........

if the gravel was moist still i would imagine it would still be ok (high 02).......
I turn the blower off to my sponge filters for 8 hours and they are fine...but 28...we can just hope

dug down. Cool but not damp.

Unfortunately it will prob need to be re cycled, but at least the fish are ok....

I have recently heard that stress = extra flavoniods .

Not sounding good. If it was damp you would probably get away with it but if it's dried out I think you've got problems . Good luck with the fish and keep us posted.

Stu,

The bacteria doesn't just live in the gravel......it's in the water, too.

If your system was cycling before, it will quickly do so again.

I imagine that you would still have bacteria in the bottom of your grow beds in any case.

Depends on the bacteria. If they create a spore, they can survive like that for months. Even dried out, if they remain cool, they will survive for months. Look at lactobacillus in capsules at the chemist, bone dry but an expiry date of over 12 months. I'm not sure with these types, but my guess is that you may be ok

As gary put it you still got them in the water and other places so even if the set in the growbed dies the others will quickly replace them

I remember reading something about 16 hours or so but graver stays moist for a long time so you should be good.

I would still like to know how long those guys last outta water

Caribean-grower, in 'spore' form for absolute ages...
And I agree about the water point - those growbeds will be humming with bacteria in no time!

Thanks guys, I will continue to feed as normal and for interest sake, will report back with ammonia and nitrite levels in afew days

Cabt ya throw some bacteria in from your aquarium?

I'll take a hit for the team and see what happens. I am interested to know myself

Nice work Stu.... Someone has to do the hard yards, and cop the disapointments....

well it might teach me to be not such an air head LOL