Empty Tank

[pogi2009]

If I have an established and recently emptied (no more fish) tank and I shut off the heater. Sponge filter will still be up. Will the bacteria/micro-organism die? My fish room is in my garage. Trying to cut electric cost during winter.

[triscuit]

With no food, the bacterial population will begin to decline, the cold (if temp is under 60 or so) will also stunt their growth.

That said, 2-3 weeks shouldn't be a problem. After a month, you should probably assume that the tank is not cycled. ]

[fischfan13]

If I have an established and recently emptied (no more fish) tank and I shut off the heater. Sponge filter will still be up. Will the bacteria/micro-organism die? My fish room is in my garage. Trying to cut electric cost during winter.


Tony, this is what I do...


Take the sponge filter(s) out and put them into a running tank.
Empty the tank that you are not going to use.
Come Spring when you are going to set that tank up again just add the sponge filter(s) and fill the tank...ready to use.

[emartin]

You could just take out the sponge filter altogether and just add it to a running tank 2-3 weeks before you are ready set the previous tank back up. By then the sponge should be colonized with bacteria, and the worst thing that would happen is you might have a mini-cycle go on but not a deadly ammonia/nitrite spike.

I've done that quite frequently to no ill effects. In a lot of my tanks I also have sponge filters set up or a couple extra sponges in the sump or power filter and I just move those over into the new tank I am setting up. Never had a problem with it...

[TheFishJunky]

Tony, this is what I do...


Take the sponge filter(s) out and put them into a running tank.
Empty the tank that you are not going to use.
Come Spring when you are going to set that tank up again just add the sponge filter(s) and fill the tank...ready to use.

You could just take out the sponge filter altogether and just add it to a running tank 2-3 weeks before you are ready set the previous tank back up. By then the sponge should be colonized with bacteria, and the worst thing that would happen is you might have a mini-cycle go on but not a deadly ammonia/nitrite spike.

I've done that quite frequently to no ill effects. In a lot of my tanks I also have sponge filters set up or a couple extra sponges in the sump or power filter and I just move those over into the new tank I am setting up. Never had a problem with it...
I agree and have done it both ways as advised.No issues.