Re: High Ammonia Levels in a Fish Tank
No you dont need to clean the tank fully once it is up and running but there are instances when you might need to, like after a disease breaks out and once you have cleaned some of the medicines will leave your water discoloured regardless of how much you clean you might need a full clean. Normally tanks dont leak but the chances are always there. Also if you need to isolate certain fish again due to disease than you will need a spare tank. If by accident the glass cracks or anything else happens which requires the fish to temporarily be moved than you will need an extra tank. You can leave the extra tank in your garage but keep an eye on it as I am not too familiar with the climate conditions in your area. You dont need too big a tank as a backup. I have used my backup tank once when my fish died after disease and the medicine I put in had turned the water green and it wouldnt clear despite water changes. I switched the fish into the spare tank cleaned the main one and cycled and returned the fish after a few weeks back into the main tank.
As for water changes you can now ease off them and do once or twice a week change and let the fish and water develop in them. Dont buy anymore fish yet.