Canister Filter Down Time

[BotiaMaximus]

I am new to using canister filters and would like some input from experienced users on how long it is safe to leave one turned off and sealed when doing water changes. I plan to start using a DIY filtering system to pre-filter my tap water and it is a trickle unit and will take about 2.5 hours to refill my 75 gallon after a 25 gallon water change. This would be the longest/largest change I would do this way.

Is it ok to leave the canister just sitting there that long or will I start killing off my bacteria? Would just opening the top allow enough oxygen into even the lower sections of the filter? Could I run an airline down to the bottom of the canister through the intake section and do it that way. I don't mind the work I just want to play it safe yet avoid killing it with kindness.

Any advice would be most appreciated.

Thank You!

"Long May You Loach"

 

[minxfishy]

I doubt it would cause much of a problem to leave it off for that long, power cuts last longer with no effects to peoples bacteria.

I turn my external filter off when doing w/c and its usually about an hour or so and its never caused a problem.

 

[DJ ArKaDaRkA]

why would you need to turn it off anyway?

 

[rabbut]

I leave mine on during a waterchange. You can't with a Fluval, as the rubber bit between the ribbed hose and inlet set isn't waterproof after a while (unless you smother it with PTFE and electrical tape like I did), but any good filter will be fine left running