stevebussard;1020567; said:
In my experience, multiple water changes, (large or small) in a new tank that has an amonia issue is a bad idea. I had a very simmilar issue a couple years back with a tank I had just set up recently. Everything was perfect for about a month, then bam! Huge amonia problem. I thought I needed to change the water more, it seemed to get even worse. I changed the filter because it seemed fairly dirty. I definatley got worse. I lost 3 fish, and was about to lose my mind. My local pet store owner told me to use amonia lock 2 (I believe that was it) and use ocean salt. Even in fresh water tanks it is good for your fish is small amounts. I put in the amount it said to for helping heal fish (1tbsp/ 10 gallons) and used the amonia lock. Within 2 days all was well, and using the salts everytime I change the water has kept the amonia gone. I used to change the filter media every time I changed the water. DON'T. No matter how dirty your filter media is, give it at least a day to help the natural bacteria build back up. Without the bacteria in the water, nothing is able to fight against amonia.
I dunno if there's a discrepancy because you are referring to salt rather than fresh (though I don't see how, since I keep both), but if no water changes are done ammonia will build to lethal levels and the fish will die.
If your tank is cycling while you have fish in it you MUST do water changes to keep the ammonia and nitrites down.
Abandoning water changes is no use at all. In fact, if your ammonia builds to an extremely high level it will actually inhibit bacterial growth, not help it.
Not to be harsh, but telling someone to slow on water changes or completely abandon them is a good way to get them to kill their fish.
As far as ammonia lock, prime has the same neutralizing effect on ammonia.
Doing water changes isn't going to inhibit the bacteria, you are still leaving a certain amount for them to feed on.
I agree, definately don't change or remove filter media, this is where the bacteria reside, your primary filter media should NEVER be completely removed.