1. It is not advisable to leave your aquarium lights on at all times for the aquarium. You should keep the lights on for 8-12 hour periods at a time. If you want to keep the tank lights on when you arrive home, simply get a timer for the lights so your fish stay on a schedule.
2. When you purchase your aquarium and the equipment for your setup, do not purchase the fish at the same time. You are going to need plenty of time to cycle the water in the aquarium to make it hospitable for the fish in your aquarium.
3. It is not a good idea to wash your filter media with regular tap water. The tap water can kill the beneficial bacteria that is built up in the filter. Use distilled water to clean out your filter and its components.