What is the right way to cycle tank

I think I made a mistake by stocking my tank too fast with fish. The ammonia and nitrite levels are all o.k., but the water is cloudy, which makes me think I might have killed the beneficial bacteria inadvertently? There is a large piece of bogwood in the tank which stains the water a nice yellow color, so it might be partly that, but it seems overly cloudy. My question is, is it possible to do too many water changes? (it was like 30% every other day a while ago) or is it better to clean the filters only? If the tank has to be recycled, should I do nothing until the biofilter returns? I've been doing weekly water changes and putting in small amounts of AmQuel lately to try and get rid of the cloudiness, to no effect.

Well, not sure how long the tank's been set up. I'm gonna guess it's a newer tank. Takes a few weeks for a tank to cycle. Get a test kit, or have your pet store test a water sample. When you're ammonia is 0 ppm, nitrites 0 ppm, and showing some nitrates(want them to stay under 20 ppm) then your tank is cycled.

If you're cycling the tank with fish, you'll want to do small daily water changes so the fish can have a chance to survive. I'd say 20% water at most. It'll prolong the cycle a bit, but better for the fish. After the tank cycles, you'll want to get into a routine of weekly water changes of about 20-25%.

About once a month when you do a water change, take the filter out and rinse it in the bucket of fish water. Scrape the gunk off (I just use my hand), and reuse it(this will keep some of the bacteria on it). After a few months you'll need to completely replace it. Don't use tap water, the chlorine will kill the bacteria on it.