Newbie! Totally lost with no help from pet store! Think my fishys may be in danger :S

Question
My tank was set up literally about 10 hours ago and since then I've been researching and realising how badly wrong I was!! I've been visiting my local pet store for about 2 months, interested in purchasing fish. I felt I was asking relevant questions and getting substantial answers, but I was mistaken (at least I think)! To tell the truth I have no experience with fish whatsoever but have always wanted to learn more and have fish of my own.

My tank (which was also purchased today, along with the fish...), is 11 litres in volume. Perhaps too small? Also, it's plastic and just a basic tank with no heater or filter... which is very worrying from the recent information I have found tonight. The guy from the store told me a filter and heater were not essential!!

I have two white cloud minnows.

I was told nothing of pH levels, ammonia levels or nitrate levels, other than having to add two pinches of 'Albri' which is said to protect fish from chemicals in tap water. I have done this, I firstly added and dissolved it in a smaller container then added it to the tank. Then put the fish in... straight away... :S

I haven't yet had to change the water as everything is brand new.

I would appreciate information on replacing water and how often I should do this, or change the water. Sources on the Internet vary greatly so I still am unsure. I hope my fish are ok! I can't believe how little the guy at the store told me, after I had been asking for over 2 months!! I apologize for my ignorance. Really it is my fault but now I just want to put it right before they die...

Answer
Hi Christina;

Don't worry, you are doing just fine. White Clouds are cold water fish so they do not need a heater but you really should have some kind of filter in there. A filter does more than just help remove wastes. It also circulates the water to provide oxygen. It's a very small tank and to keep two little fish alive and healthy they will really need it. If you had a betta in there instead of the white clouds, it wouldn't need a filter. He has a different way of breathing that helps him live in low oxygen water. The white clouds don't.

Put in a little filter, just don't add any more fish because your tank is fully stocked once your little fish grow to their full mature size. Make a 25% water change every couple of days for the next few weeks. Partial water changes are necessary until the tank gets through the break-in period. Avoid cleaning out the whole tank because it will shock your fish and prevent the tank from ever breaking in. Use the water conditioner in the new water to make it safe for your fish every time you make a water change. Also be sure that the new water is the same temperature as the old water in the tank. It helps prevent shock. Only feed them two very small flakes of food once or twice every day to avoid polluting the water. Here is a link to my page on new tanks that will help your fish get through it;  

http://www.xanga.com/Expert_Fish_Help

Live plants such as java moss, java fern or anacharis (also called elodea) are very good "true-aquatic" plants that will add oxygen to the water and also help your tank get through the break-in period. Your fish will enjoy them to nibble on and make them feel safe and cozy too.

Let me know how it's going...

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins