I am not scientist. Hell, I am a crappy pond keeper compared to the
people in this group, But I have not had the bacteria issue you speak
of.

How do you know? You shut down your filter, and cultured the
sand?

Anyway, your specific situation aside, here's a google for you:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...=Google+Search

I doubt very much indeed that the aerobic bacteria in your FB
will live more than an hour or so if you turn it off. Sources
I know and trust express the lifespan of the bacteria at this
point in "minutes".

I've read alot about FBs. But no knowledge is perfect. If you
happen to run across something that says different, I'll certainly
be interested in it...

C//