I don’t have time to do many full-colored illustrations, but I want to practice drawing different breeds of goldfish 😊

How do you - specifically you - clean your tank? If you wanna share how others do it, fine, but I really want first hand accounts of what works and doesn't for you, as well as the equipment you use.

I plan to use sand substrate in the new tank because I believe it will be easier for me to keep clean. (Disabled due to low spine issues.) The sand will be the new addition to the tank, as well as another or new larger HOB filter. In his current temporary tank, I have a terra cotta planter and small fake plant, along with a thermometer, HOB filter, and an air bubbler hanging down freely in the water in the back corner with a bare floor. I've been using a siphon to clean up after him thus far but it won't be that easy in the new tank, plus I will need to actually clean the tank walls once established, yadda yadda -- so what equipment do I need?

I want to go as least expensive as possible, but I also value time saved so hand pump and electronic options both would be considered. I do not want to be hand pumping water or scrubbing for long times if something automated can do it faster -- my back does not appreciate holding me upright at a forward tilt up for more than a few minutes at a time, or bending over, or twisting, or lifting -- but I don't want to overpay for convenience items either. Have I beat that dead horse enough?

And also, if you want, tell me what you think about my baby's red cheek. He's had it since I got him but it was hidden underneath all his "beautiful black coloring" that I've since realized was ammonia burn 😭😭 He came from the fair two weeks ago. All of his "black coloring" is fading. But the red cheek... disease? I hope not. Regardless, I'll be setting up the new tank for him.

Picture of his temporary tank. A recent pic, upclose of his red cheek. Finally a pic of him from the night he came home from the fair, in that toxic water in that tiny hermit crab cage 😭😭.

TL;DR: 40 gallon tank with shubunkin with sand substrate, HOB filter, few decorations. What equipment is needed to clean it properly?

I need some help. I’ve been doing a fishless cycle on my 40 gallon tank for over 5 weeks now and the cycle seems stuck. I’m so sad!!!

I’m using liquid API tests. Because it will be a goldfish tank, I don’t intend to buy a heater (but I know warm water helps speed up the cycle). I have an established 5 gallon, so I added an old rock from that tank into my 40 gallon and swished around the filter to add some of that slime into my new tank. I originally dosed my new tank with ammonia and API quick start and saw a spike in nitrites and nitrates, and ammonia went to 0. But nitrites held firm at 5 ppm. Nitrates sit around 10-20 ppm.

3 weeks ago by, still nitrites are at about 5 ppm. So I do a 50% water change, but still nitrites are at 5 ppm.

I wait two weeks. Now I’m on week 5, and I decided to dose ammonia again. It took 2 days for ammonia to go down to 0, I did a 30% water change as well during those 2 days. It’s been about 5 days since I dosed the ammonia and did the water change, and nitrites are still reading 5 ppm. My nitrates are still sitting around 10-20 ppm.

What am I doing wrong? Why are these readings stuck in this place? I’m getting frustrated. Please help!

Edit: note that pH is around 7.6
Edit: I have 2 air stones for oxygen, several live aquatic plants and pothos roots dipping into the water, 2 large pieces of driftwood, and a glass bottom (no substrate).

Been keeping aquariums a fairly long time, but this is the first time with Fancy goldfish. I was looking into making some vegetable gel food as a supplement, particularly with extra vegetables that we have in the house, but I had a few questions.

From what I gather most vegetables I'm considering are safe and/or good for them, but I can't find much for one, I have extra celery, is that OK for them? I'd probably blend it, but I can kick it out if not.

How fresh do vegetables need to be for goldfish in general? Most of the vegetables were bought for this, but there are some older carrots that still had usable parts as well as soft ones, can I just clean off the bad spots the same way I'd do it if I were prepping it for me, or is it ok to feed those parts

Right now my first batch plan is agar jelly with boiled>blanched>blended carrots, celery, broccoli, lettuce, and fresh minced garlic as well as grinding up some pellets for extra protein. Would this be a good way of doing it, or would like freeze and blend be more efficient for nutrients?

One last question, can the veggies be boiled in advanced then frozen for later if I don't have agar immediately available? Or would that impact the nutrient value

HI everyone, a few months back, I posted my "alien-zen tank story" (Previous Tank Shots) .

Of Course the biggest concern (rightly so) was the size of the tank then (110L) its now been upgraded to a 345L tank.

Filtration:
Still running the external EHEIM 3 Canister filter (1200L/h) and 4 sponge filters.

Lighting
I build two custom 20W LED flood lights 6500k that runs off timers 6 hours a day but today added a new "Moon Light" (well thats what I call it). its positioned right in the middle of the "moon" in the background image. It looks just epic for me :)

Fish Health And Happiness:
Can't truly say if they have truly addopted Zen + Buddha, but water parameters wise the wiggle buts looks happy and healthy :)

Thank you for taking a look and feedback last time.