5 days with a new substrate is a very short period of time for a bacterial colony to build up there. So, only the ornaments and plants will have any significant amount of bacteria to colonize the rest of the tank.
As is always a prudent move when making such a drastic change to a tank (substrate change or filter change) you should always monitor ammonia and nitrite for at least a week until the values remain at zero for the full week without need of a water change. In your case, having changed both so soon one after the other, it is that much more important to monitor things, just to be safe. Byron is correct to say that the number of fish and snails in that tank will not create 'much' ammonia compared to the size of that tank... they still are producing ammonia. And both species are highly susceptible to ammonia and nitrite, so you need to keep a close eye on both until you are certain that levels are stable at zero with no spikes.
Water change only as much as NECESSARY... as the higher levels of ammonia and nitrite will encourage faster bacterial growth, BUT the higher levels are also detrimental to the fish. So, you need to watch it very carefully. For ammonia, levels of 0.05ppm FREE AMMONIA is dangerous and would require a water change. Use this calculator to check where the free ammonia levels are: https
/www.hamzasreef.com/Contents/Calculators/FreeAmmonia.php
Next, the nitrite. This could normally be dealt with using salt in the proper dosage... BUT, since you have cories, that's not a feasible solution. Endeavor to keep that level as close to zero as possible with large water changes as necessary.
As is always a prudent move when making such a drastic change to a tank (substrate change or filter change) you should always monitor ammonia and nitrite for at least a week until the values remain at zero for the full week without need of a water change. In your case, having changed both so soon one after the other, it is that much more important to monitor things, just to be safe. Byron is correct to say that the number of fish and snails in that tank will not create 'much' ammonia compared to the size of that tank... they still are producing ammonia. And both species are highly susceptible to ammonia and nitrite, so you need to keep a close eye on both until you are certain that levels are stable at zero with no spikes.
Water change only as much as NECESSARY... as the higher levels of ammonia and nitrite will encourage faster bacterial growth, BUT the higher levels are also detrimental to the fish. So, you need to watch it very carefully. For ammonia, levels of 0.05ppm FREE AMMONIA is dangerous and would require a water change. Use this calculator to check where the free ammonia levels are: https
/www.hamzasreef.com/Contents/Calculators/FreeAmmonia.phpNext, the nitrite. This could normally be dealt with using salt in the proper dosage... BUT, since you have cories, that's not a feasible solution. Endeavor to keep that level as close to zero as possible with large water changes as necessary.
