How long does it take a filter to clean a 10 gal tank?

[Khrysty]

My little sister put some cute little christmas penguins from the dollar store into the fish tank I JUST bought--it's going to be my mom's christmas present. I told her she could, but I assumed she would take the metal stands off the ceramic figures. She didn't. Woke up this morning to a VERY dirty tank. There are just common goldfish in it now (the prettier, more expensive fish will come when I know for sure my mom is interested in keeping up the tank). I did a 2/3 water change and took out the (now rusting) metal stands. How long will it take for the filter to do the rest of the work? Or should I risk stressing the fish even more and do a complete water change?

 

[Tony C]

Keep doing water changes, you don't know what was in those figures, and I wouldn't rely on the filter to clear it all out. If I was a betting man, I would say they are from China, and glazed with paints containing lead and possibly other toxic heavy metals.

 

[Taquiq]

The Filter should hold it off for a little but keep doing water changes until clean again.50% every other day is good.

 

[Khrysty]

It's mostly clean now. I'll do another water change tomorrow and I think we'll be good from there