How long do bacteria survive?

[Reef man 89]

how long with bacteria survive without an ammonia source? So I have being cycling a new tank for about 3 weeks i have been through the diatom bloom. I have been adding dr tims fish less cycle ammoina to 2 ppm just to keep the bacteria alive. Now I am getting my clean up crew on wensday and I want to do a w/c to drop the nitrate down to 0 before I add my clean up crew. So If I do a w/c today do you think my bacteria will start to die off before I get my clean up crew in the tank? Or should I wait till the day of to do a w/c? Just don't die off that I have been waiting forever to get. Please help

 

[nervousmonkey]

No they'll be fine. Their population may decrease some, but not die out all the way. Why are you trying to drop NO3 to zero before CUC? Whats your NO3 now?

 

[Reef man 89]

About 70-80ppm

 

[nervousmonkey]

Yeah, you don't need to get the NO3 to zero, just do a 50% water change to drop it by half and add the CUC. They do not add much NH3 or NO3 anyway. You'll be fine, and if worried, just ghost feed a little, your CUC will need it as well.

 

[Reef man 89]

Ok that gives me some relief thank you for your help just didn't want to lose all the good stuff and have to start a new cycle all over again