Couldn't agree with you more Bruce!! It seems that some scientists are
always searching for that magic bullet that will solve all problems of
maintenance, health, fitness etc. so that we can all sit back on our fat
butts and do nothing except watch the world go by! Sorry it just doesn't
work that way. Life is a participatory sport and so too is fishkeeping.
Modifying diet just because it would make water changes less
necessary is absurd. Surely research likes this goes on because : a)
scientists believe that there would be money to made in such a
development and b) consumers believe that there should be no work
involved in anything we do! Serious flaw in the way we westernized
humans think. We've got to stop thinking that we are OUTSIDE of
nature.
Better we should reject that kind of philosophy and stick to trying to
replicate what it is nature is doing as best as we can.
So if we can agree that that is a sound approach to keeping fish ( and
lots of other things ), then water changes and a sound diet are and
always will be essential. Too many hobbyists who know better neglect
the basics of the hobby .Effective housekeeping and feeding will
eliminate the vast majority of fishkeeping problems
Chris
Chris Drew drews at webgate.net