for god's sake, stop cleaning the tank. Everytime you change lots of water
you force the tank to restart the process. Vacuum up the excess debris
(spend some more money on a vacuum, yes) buy some chemicals to stop killing
fish and let the tank cycle. And stop cleaning stuff.

Now, about your fish store....I would have to wonder about a fish store that
sells you a 20 gallon tank and 20 fish and tells you to come back with some
water in a few days. The proper way to cycle a tank is to fill it, test it,
through in a few zebras or other hearty fish, let it cycle and then about
one week later add some more fish and repeat. Is this a fish store or a
chain?

About feeders as pets. Feeders have diseases induced by inbreeding and
shouldn't be used a pets. They should be used as food (hence the name
"Feeders"). Breeders don't treat them like they do pet quality fish. They
aren't mixed breeds, they're food.

Good Luck.


"Jody Pellerin" wrote in message
...
We bought a tank a few weeks ago and have since had an ammonia problem. I
never really knew much about it so I didn't know over feeding fish or
feeding once a day was bad for a new tank set up. Anyways, we got the
water
tested as the pet store owner directed (We took in a water sample to her
from our tank) and it was tested mid-range (1.2-2.4) for ammonia. We did a
complete water change and tank cleaning. Any how, it came back. And went
right up back as high. The last few days, it peaked and atleast 5 fish
have
died and others are sick (but a couple are getting better, I'm using ick
disease cure) I did a %70 water change tonight and did a rock cleaning. I
put in PH down salt and put cold water into the tank to get the
temperatures
down. (I know the higher the temps and PH levels, the more toxic and
untolerable the ammonia is) So now I'm hoping for an improvement. We went
through a whole bottle of 'Cycle' since we bought the tank. My boyfriend
is
on his way home with another, as well as a filter part which is made for
ammonia control. (We have the Aqua Plus 200, I believe it's called)
Anyways,
we have a 20 gallon tank and about 20 fish in there, ranging in sizes.
Guppies, Mollies, Platties, 2 Zebras, Tetras, 2 Silver Goramis (Spelling
may
be wrong, sorry) and 2 alguaue eaters. I am trying desperately to get this
tank stabalized. It's been about a week since we had done our complete
water
change (and I know, that was stupid) I am using cycle, adding two
cap-fulls
every other day. Feeding them maybe twice a week now. There were dead fish
(We had bought some feeder guppies and a fish had babies) and we didn't
know
the bodies were still in there, so I can see why the ammonia peaked so
high
and fast. I took out the plants and ornament so they can't go in them to
hide and die as they've been doing. I would say about 10 dish have died,
including feeder guppies, two neon tetras, four platties, a siamese
fighting
fish and a swordtail.
I just don't know what else to do, besides keep the PH down, put in the
new
filter part, and use Cycle. But how often should I use cycle, how often
should I do water changing, and how much at a time? ANY advice or tips
right
now would be much apreciated. I don't know what else to do.

--
Sincerely,
Jody Pellerin



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