shmee

i have a 5 gallon tank and i have 9 neon tetras, 2 gouramies, and a rosey barb. everyday i take a few cups of water out and put some fresh water in. is that a bad idea, and if so what should i do. if its not should i treat the water a lil each time bc i havent been and there doing ok i think.

MaryPa

To start off your tank is much too small for all the fish you have. Daily water changes is needed until you can get a larger tank ( about 20 gal ). Make sure any water is dechlorinated before adding it to the tank.

Butterfly

As was mentioned above your fish need a bigger tank.
Here are some intersting articles for you to read that will help you take good care of your fishy friends http://www.fishlore.com/Forum/index.php?topic=620.0
With that many fish in such a small tank your fighting a loosing battle just changing a couple of cups a day because the fish are producing more waste than you can remove in that small amount of water. Do you have a water testing kit? If not a good one is the freshwater one made by aquarium pharmaceuticals.
When water is added to your tank a chemical that removes chlorine and chloramines is essential. Both are usually added to tap water and will kill your fish if not removed.
Is the tank heated and filtered? both are necessary. Since all those are tropical fish they expect and need tropical temperatures The filter will build beneficial bacteria in it and help convert ammonia from fish waste to Nitrites and then to Nitrates which aren't as toxic as ammonia and nitrites. It will also remove some of the solid waste.
Carol

boff

Can you use water from a waterbutt from the garden ,so you dont have to use water from a tap and put cemicals in it because rain water must be better for your fish .