In a message of 13 Jan 97 Greg Kreaps wrote to me:
 GK> Being that I do not have a fish that eats waste for a living...should I
 GK> get one?...because it seem that the water gets a bit of color to fast
 GK> if I only change part of the water.....have purchased
 GK> anti-chlor..Removes chlorine, chloramines and ammonia from water...first
 GK> can I add this to the water with the fish in it?  Next it tells me that
 GK> this will remove ammonia from the water that is a by-product of fish
 GK> waste...but it only give my directions for 10 gal of water at a
 GK> time....you would do what??
In a small tank like you have with no heater,you really can only keep 2 small 
fish at best. If the water temperature stays above 74,most small tropicals 
will do OK (bypass the neons & cardinals - too touchy). A pair of platies or 
guppies would be OK. If the water temperature stays much below 74,the best 
bet would be a small goldfish or 2. Easiest way to gauge the temperature of 
the water is to check the room temperature. The water can't be any warmer 
than room temperature,without a heater.
A catfish is not needed in such a small tank as cleaning up any debris is 
simple enough by hand. Actually,catfish eat normal fish foods - they do not 
eat the other fishes waste.
Regarding the water color change,it sounds like the tank is being given too 
much food. Fish only need a light feeding (whatever they will consume in 5 
minutes or so) once a day. Any food left over simply decomposes and fouls the 
water. If the water is discolored and has a foul smell,too much food has been 
fed to the tank and partial water changes are in order. Note that the 
reference above concerning feeding always states "overfeeding the tank" and 
not "overfeeding the fish". Fish will only eat until they are full,so it is 
basically impossible to overfeed a fish (there are a few species that will 
overeat). However,it is all too easy to put more food into the tank than the 
fish will eat in one feeding,thus overfeeding the tank.
The dechlor problem is one faced by all small tank hobbyists. The options are 
to make up 10 gallons of water and store it (generally not practical) or use 
a guesstimate of what percentage of the amount required for the 10 gallons 
would be required for the amount of water you are preparing. I'm assuming the 
dosage is 1 teaspoon per 10 gallons. If so,to prepare an adequate amount for 
the water change on a 1 gallon tank (1/2 gallon at most),use a scant 1/16 
teaspoon.
The other option for the water would be to have a container just for the tank 
and draw off hot tap water equal to the amount you'll be changing. Leave this 
sit overnight (12 hours at least) and most of the chlorine will have 
dissipated. A little chlorine in the water won't be a problem,as long as the 
water change is only partial.
--- Spot 1.3a Unregistered
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