So when i take my bio rings out of my canister to clean it?

Question

was wondering how much damage is caused when the bio media is out of water for a routine cleaning of my canister filter. It only takes about two minutes to properly clean all the mechanical media and have the ceramic rings back in the water but some of the nitrifying bacteria must die right? Please dont respond to this if you have no idea what i'm talking about.

Answer 1

No! The bacteria will survive. As long as the bio-ring is still damp, then the beneficial bacteria on the bio-wheel/ring will still thrive, however; do not leave it out and let it dry out, because then the bacteria will dry. Do not wash it, either.