I have a 30 gallon tank with 8 fish:
4 small goldfish, 3 corydoras, 1 bristle nose pleco.
I started this tank about 6 weeks ago but being of the older generation I started it as I always started my tanks 20 years ago, not knowing about the biological cycle.
As soon as I found the Aquarium Co-op YouTube channel and this forum I saw the value of this method of good bacteria 😇 against evil bacteria 😈. I have optimized my Aqueon20 hob filter with carbon infused pad and coarse sponge media with a bit of fine sponge media at the spillway and a pre-filter intake sponge. This past week I also added the medium size coarse sponge filter in the opposite corner from the hob. Water is so nice and clear and ammonia levels are finally stable.
I still need to do water changes because, well, goldfish. So my questions are:
1. Should I wash out the filters (in the used aquarium water) every water change or wait until there is gunk showing up on them?
2. Will rinsing them to often lose the good bacteria? (I usually do a water change once a week).
3. Does it harm the good bacteria on the glass if I wipe it weekly with my magnetic glass cleaner?
My tank is not a planted tank but I am considering it for maybe down the road.
Also the 4 goldfish will be re-homed to my neighbor’s pond as soon as they grow a little more. Then my tank will be a tropical only tank.
Sorry this is so long, TIA for your help.😊