Liz, all we can really do is try to help people understand. In the end, each fish keeper determines the quality of care that his fish receive. If you have found a fish keeper that thinks that water and food are all that is required, his losses will soon discourage him from the hobby. As crass as it seems, fish cost money and if you constantly need to buy replacements you will soon tire of this hobby. I try to limit breeding in my tanks so that I only have enough surplus to pay for my fish food but that means I can enjoy the hobby at virtually no cost. As is true for most of us, fish cost only a setup cost and then they can be self supporting. If it starts costing me too much, I will cut back on my tanks and stocking. If I could make a true profit, after paying things like the extra cost of electricity to run my equipment, I might be tempted to expand beyond being a mere hobbyist with 26 tanks.
i nearly punched him!
