TGW1- are you sure its media? The stuff that is in the filter bags where the water goes thru it(generally can't see it) is just carbon(?) and does nothing more than make the water clear. Doesn't help with ammonia like real media. At least that's the way I understand it.
My personal experience is don't be to much of a clean freak when it comes to the tilapia. The glass sides will hold some of the good "bugs". At most, I will wipe clean the glass in half the tank at a time.
