don’t let it run an entire year without cleaning the media. It can get all gunned up and essentially feed nitrates back into your tank causing a problem as well.
Well Ammonia and Nitrite levels were zero. Nitrates still 40-80 ppm. I just rinsed out the old media and there was a lot of gunk in there. Been doing daily water changes 20%.
Only problem is the nitrates which I am hoping will resolve with the rinse out of the disgusting canister filter and daily water changes (with prime and going to add some bacteria again since I rinsed out the media with a hose)
Thank you for all the advice and with the knowledge you shared I shouldn't have another issue with my levels. I'll post again when I retest in about a week.