Good question. Your tank appears to have significant rock and removing filter pads should not have any meaningful effect on bacteria. Your plan on floss use is good.That looks great! Ok this is a super dumb question probably, but will taking out the four filter pads I have currently and replacing them with floss have any negative effects as far as losing some nitrifying bacteria? I have floss on hand ready to go. I assume I just rip a wad of it out and stuff it in the chambers, and then replace every 3 days?