Soon to be an owner and slightly confused

[alex]

isn't that what Sharns saying??

 

[sharn]

im saying you want bacteria IN the filter media, filters can hold a heap of bacteria, enough to keep a tank fine without anything else, so turning them off may kill some due to lack of oxygen= suffocation. this has confused me now lol :S

 

[joan]

I don't think you're going to kill them with suffocation by turning off the filter. I've moved houses (which includes turning off the filters), and as long as you keep the media wet, you don't have a problem with bacteria die-off. Although, I really don't see a reason in turning off the filter.