gabdewulf

Hey, welcome on board Are you seeding a second filter? If not, you probably only need one of those hand on the back filters.

Probably a good sign of not wearing them down against something.

Have you thought about trying grow bags? They are black, different sizes, and water goes in/out of them with ease.

Maybe paint it with the rust binder and then cover the inside with pond epoxy paint...see people using it in ponds but not sure if it's "fully" aquarium safe.

Okay, I have soft water in PA so that helps.

Water might be too hard for Neons.

Easier to clean with tank water than vinegar which is all I've had to do. Literally dip my hand in the tank and use the splash off to wipe the lid clean.

Could be love is in the air...😁

Is the plant from a short family of val?

Ikea has a nice bathroom rubber squeeze that's great for quick glass cleaning. I only really worry about the front viewing glass as that other is nice fry food. Also Who Dat.

Do you have a big enough tank?

IF you got the time and want money, you can try taking them to a fish group auction. Keystone meeting in October is the big one auction. I'm in central PA. I would be happy to take them off your hands if you want to just get rid of them.

Okay, reduce water changes is something you have to feel out. Don't overstock the tank with life and larger tanks provide more time that the waste builds up to a critical level. Floating plants will convert waste for you and create shadow creating more chill fish. Couple inches of substrate will also convert waste and will recommend Malaysian Snails to stir it up reduce dead zones. All that should reduce your need to change water. Sponge filters and autofeeders will better for travelling. Sponge filters don't need to worry if the power goes out. Autofeeders if you're gone more than 3-4 days. All that being said, depending on long you'll travel, this may be a good time to take a break from fish keeping.

Here's my two cents, 1. Stands - I'm looking at industrial racks, probably Galdiator, Husky, Kobalt, etc. I've been using a husky stand with 4 x 40 gallons for four years with no issues. Did cut a nice piece of plywood to act as the shelves to spread the weight. I also have built two wooden racks and two block stands. Metal shelf was easier and looks the nicest. All of them take some work/time but no real upkeep. 2. Tanks - mostly 20 highs and 10s but I might bring some 40s with. Tanks will be positioned short side out to fit more. Final count around 40-60 tanks. 20 longs make more sense than highs..especially if 20 highs are on top shelf. Netting fish and stuff out of those tanks is not fun. Longs provide more space for the fish to spread out thereby reducing stress. 3. Lids - Probably polycarbonate +/- a hinge. Feeding hole can also be the finger pull to get the lid off. Open tanks are losing heat. Though the green house plastic is cheaper. 4. Water - EXTREMELY hard. Auto water change? Continue with manual water changes? Money and time, do you want to spend more or less? Hard water also means potential issues with calcium build up. Keep in mind too, all of those can be done in stages. 5. Lighting - I currently run cheaper aquarium lights, one light over 3-4 tanks. I've been trying the Co-Op light and will probably replace the cheap lights as they die. If you're not doing plants, don't bother with lighting every tank and instead have a mobile light. 6. Heating - I have been heating the current room and had partially settled on an oil radiator heater for the new room. If a do a central sump system, I could in theory heat the room less and put heaters into the sump. I have two oil radiator heaters running and they pop up your energy bill. But I also have a large basement and keeping the room even 72 degrees is a challenge. IF you come up with something better, let us know. 8. Filtration - A part of me is tempted to just continue with the sponge filters and just keep up with everything manually, it just takes so much time though. The other part of me is seriously tempted to create central sumps, say one for each rack. I do quarantine but having multiple tanks on one system would be new for me in my own fishroom. What makes sense with this many tanks? Air ran filters is cheaper than pumps. Matten filters can go longer without cleaning. Plus, press your water vaccum into the sponge filter and it'll pull a lot of gunk without . 9. Opinions - Manual water change vs auto water change vs central sump? What would you change? What would you add? What did you wish you knew when setting up a fishroom? Go in stages to figure out what does and doesn't bother you for adding on to the room. That away too, if you hit a point of too many tanks, you'll have a better idea of what size you like. Mentally prepare a schedule to maintain each rack. Couple hours a weekend day is better than a whole day/weekend once a month. IF you have a yard/garden, drain your water out there and save on fertilizer. Plus, less potential to clog up a drain pipe with snails.

Got good coverage for the female to take a sight break?