do big water changes, they are not detrimental to cycling at all. As long
as there are measurable amounts of ammonia the tank is going to cycle.
Changes of 40% or so every few days to keep the ammonia to an acceptable
level will be a good thing. You got a new filter, so it is going to be 3
weeks to a month after getting the new filter before the tank cycles
completely again. Just don't clean the filter. Just suck out the water and
any loose detritus you see. Once the tank gets cycled and settled in things
should clear up.

as for the media basket, where does it go? after the crap is filtered out
of the water? if so you could get some sort of bio media and put in there.
fluval and eheim both make some that you should be able to get at a local
fish store.
--

Margolis
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