Gday All

I busted an impeller on one of my 2217's following a filter clean over the weekend and I was wandering how long the bacteria will last. I live in Darwin and there are no replacements in town so I've had to order one in (and a spare!) which will be late this week. I could potentially interchange the cannister with the remaining filter or will the bacteria survive a few days without circulation? At the moment I've just filled it with tank water.