First of all, it is absolutely essential to have a filter when keeping
goldfish. Without one, the water will quickly become toxic and slowly poison
your fish. Are you aware that goldfish also need a minimum of 10 gallons of
water each in order to be happy and healthy?
It really would be best to upgrade to a larger tank, but until then please
think about getting a filter. With goldfish you should be getting the water
turned over between 8-10 times per hour so look for a filter good enough to
do this. Fluval make filters for small tanks, or you can buy sponge filters
which attach to an airpump which would be better than nothing.
Also, 100% water changes aren't good for the fish. In an adequately stocked
tank a 30% water change per week is usually sufficient but that's when
keeping 1 fish in 10 gallons or more. If your tank is really small then I'd
suggest a 30% water change every day using dechlorinated and temperature
matched water. You can buy gravel vacuums which suck any debris for the
gravel at the same time as removing the water and it would be wise to get
one.You can also buy little sponges on sticks which clean the algae from the
glass as well. You can do all this without removing the fish from the tank
so it will be less stressful for them.
I wouldn't go adding any other fish to your tank, even if you think they
will help keep it clean. I suspect that you are already overstocked, and any
addition to the tank is going to create extra waste of it's own which you
really don't need. There is no substitute for a good gravel vacuum and a
water change I'm afraid.
Mel.
"ste ©" wrote in message
...
Hi there,

I've got a small goldfish tank with two goldfish. To clean it, I've been
putting the fish into a bowl of clean water, then cleaning out their tank
and gravel in the bath.

The tank is probably too small to bother with a filter, but is there any
other way to keep the water clean without changing it every week? Are
there
any small water creatures I can get that will keep it cleaner for example?
I've also read somewhere about some sort of 'water hoover,' would that be
any good for what I'm talking about?

Thanks for any advice.

Regards,

Stephen