Here are 2 questions that have been gnawing at me, but I've avoided asking, until today...

1) If I use a rubber band around a pre-filter, it deteriorates within a few weeks. I do not mind replacing it, but is there something getting into the water that is bad for plants or fish or other critters? I do 50% water changes each week, if that makes any difference. I haven't noticed any problems in my tank, but I still like helping my plants and critters any way I can.

2) I read one post in a thread that said Glossostigma was a higher maintenance plant. I am slightly concerned because I currently have some Glossso that is spreading like wildfire on my substrate. What is high maintenance about it? Let me guess first:

As the plant ages, it starts dying off (and feeding algae!), so you have to go in and trim it all -- which will be a pain for me because I do not have good gardening tools at this point. Hopefully you can just trim it and don't have to pull it ... I have fairly high light and my glosso is only about 1/4" high, so trimming would be tough.