10 Gallon Tank: How long does bacteria stay on gravel?

notinks · October 2nd, 2009

I added 3 glass fish to a 10 gallon tank before the cycle was complete (didn't know any better at the time) but I am wondering whether the used gravel I got from another fish owner will help. It had not been in a tank recently and I did rinse it with tap water a few days prior to putting it in the tank. Does bacterial remain in the gravel? Thanks!

Amanda · October 2nd, 2009

Once the media/gravel dries up, the bacteria will die. It needs the ammonia from the fish to survive.

Similar Aquarium Fish Forum Threads
Thread	Fish Forum
Sand: how long should the water stay cloudy?	Freshwater Substrates - Gravel, Sand
how long can bacteria live?	Filters and Filtration
how long to soak filter media for beneficial bacteria to grow?	Freshwater Beginners
How long must the light stay on?	Lighting
How long does a tank stay cycled without fish?	Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle Archive

Fish Forum Thread Tools
Show Printable Version