I Think I May Have Over Cleaned My Tank

[bobc4d]

I checked my amonia today in my 36 gallon tank which is about 6 weeks old and it was 0.5 so I vaccumed the gravel (water came out light tan) and dumped about 10 gallons.

did I over do it?
when it is said to do a water change, only vaccum water, not clean gravel?
how often should I change the filter?

edit: I cleaned it this morning, this afternoon everyone seems to be in good shape.

 

[Autumnsky]

Should be fine. Just don't change the filter media/pad at the same time, due to loosing too much beneficial bacteria. I use two filter pads together one is always worst so when I do change the filter pad, I leave the better one in. You do not need to change this very often. Certainly not every month.

I always vacuum the gravel, you will get the uneaten food and fish waste out, helps keep your water good.

 

[Tetra1990]

Yes, DO NOT change your filter media until it's falling apart. I made this mistake awhile back and killed my entire stock off and sent my tank into a new cycle.