newbie - cloudiness - help

Hi, I setup a new tank 2 weeks ago.

15gal tall glass (13X13X18)
Aqua clear 150 power filter w/ foam, carbon, and ammonia filters (3 total)
aqarium gravel
mix of plastic, fabric aquarium plants (5)

fish:
6 rosey barbs (1/2 - 3/4 in)
6 tiger barbs (1")
1 tin foil barb (2")
1 barb ? (looks a lot like goldfish with a spot by tail) (1 1/2")
1 rainbow shark (3")
4 albino shark (1 1/2") I know - didn't know they were same shark species
in a dif color)
1 algae eater (2")
1 crayfish (4")
1 apple snail (2")
(What happens when the pet store guys says, "yeah, your tank is goos for
those fish")

The tank wont clear up.
Been back and forth to the pet store and tried a few things.
At first they said the tanks was just cycling (a bloom). Then after a week
I brought water samples in every day and they tested and said water was
fine, still just initializing, but to try a clear cloudy additive (drops).
Then two days later they sold me a fizzing tablet, turned the water purple.
A few days ago, fish started dying (one each day for 3 days) water still
tested "fine, but amonia a little high", and they had me buy a gravel vacuum
and vacuum the gravel. The yesterday they told me to add an amonia lock to
the water. The fish have stopped dying but the water is more cloudy than
ever.

During the course of all this, I have done 3 ~10% water changes and rinsed
my filter filters (in removed aquarium water). I also add a dechlorinator
and dechloriminator to the new water.

I am so frustrated (in addition to being broke)! Oh yeah I bought two test
kits, one for amonia and one for everything else). Water tests a little
high in Amonia and a little high in nitrites. All else ok by the charts.

What is wrong? If nothing is wrong, how long does initializing take? ANY
help would be gratefully appreciated.

Thanks
Bud