You can put a whole piece in or a few small pieces. Depends on how many fish you are feeding. Sometimes I think the clip is a marketing thing. It does make it easier to retrieve the food if it stays in too long and the fish aren't eating all of it. You can use a plant weight or tie it to a rock with a piece of thread or string. Keep some string tied to it retreive it, if you want. Point is, the fish will eat it no matter if it is tied to anything or floating, in big pieces or small. Try out a couple of ideas to see which your fish prefer. Whatever type clip, it should not have metal parts, such as a clothes clip might. Your fish will tell you what they like. Don't be afraid to experiment a little.