Need Advice/Help Don't Know How To Fix

[Breezyod]

Alright let me start by saying I am at my end with this tank... I have had this 20gallon long set up for 3months now or so and I have not been able to get it right as far as cycling goes. About a month and a half ago got a test kit for the first time I know I sinned. But I have always gone by if you leave your tank for long enough and do water changes then a test kit doesn't matter to much, again sorry. But I did get one and I know it works properly because of my bigger 45gallon tank which has perfect water conditions. But I can't get my Ammonia to go down AT ALL in my 20gallon tank.

I have it set up with a Fluval 100w Heater, Aquaclear 50 Filtration System setup on it, Pool Filter Sand Substrate (I rinsed it thoroughly before putting it in until it poored clear, 3 Fake Single Plants from Petsmart which I rinsed thoroughly before adding, and 3 Small Rocks which I got from a landscaping company. I soaked them in extremely hot water for 2hours before adding. (I was having this problem before I added the rocks if it matters)

I just want to know why my Ammonia is so high in this tank, it stays at 8ppm at least that's what my API Master Test Kit says and I am pretty sure the kit is correct since my big tank is perfectly fine by its readings and by my local fish stores readings. Anyway I have tried doing water changes and I got some API Quick Start and used as the bottle said to see if that might help but it hasn't I am at my wits end with this I just want to add a breeding pair of Convicts to the tank and be happy. I will add some pictures incase that could possibly help. Sorry this isn't typed out as well as it could be but its late and I have just annoyed with this tank at the moment. Any help or comments on what could be causing this please let me know. I don't care if I am being stupid or something I rather know that way I can learn from it, thats my goal for posting anyway. I just want to know what the experts have to say and what yall would do if you were in my situation.

 

[petspoiler]

That ammonia is extremely high. with that much "fuel" the filter should be progressing, unless there is a contaminant in the tank.
Try removing those rocks, they could've been saturated with something bad. Ammonia is the first thing in a cycling process, so having it before the rocks could be a false clue, as that should be producing nitrites & nitrates by now & ammonia lowering until no longer showing on tests.. it makes me suspicious.
If no fish are in the tank while cycling, there is no reason to do water changes. Let it do what it's supposed to.
What are you feeding the cycle with, to produce the ammonia?

Normally I would just take some filter media from your bigger established tank & put it inside the new filter, right behind that new media and it will "seed" the new one as water flows through it. Be sure to keep feeding the new tank so the BB will stay alive & multiply.
With enough media you can add fish right away.
If for some reason I can't do that, then I use SeaChem Stability. but honestly, as long as you have a healthy old tank there's no reason not to use it's media.

 

[MyGiants]

I don't see any fish. Are trying to cycle the tank with no fish?

 

[convict360]

As an aside from the ammonia problem, I'd suggest adding more cover when you do introduce convicts once the tank cycles. I'd second petspoiler in asking what you're using to feed the cycle, could be overdoing it to produce readings that high.

 

[Gill Blue]

did you add the ammonia or was it just there? it could be chloramine, what dechlorinator did you use? try your test on water fresh from the tap.

 

[ragin_cajun]

Add some Prime, or NovAqua to the tank as per the instructions on the bottle--Just put a capful in there. Then take another reading an hour later. Then test the tapwater outta the faucet, just to be totally sure.

 

[ascarbo27]

id change all the water and start over now that you have the test kit, just my 2cents

 

[Breezyod]

I don't think it's the rocks sense we put them in my buddy's 55gallon even more of the same exact rocks and his tank is fine. I would take some bb from my other filter but I have a tertra EX70 on that tank which makes it really awkward.

The odd thing is I haven't added anything to help cycle the tank as far as feeding goes in over a month which is what I don't understand. I use API Stress Coat to remove toxins when doing water changes like my lfs said to and I bought a medium size bottle of API Quick Start to see if adding that would at the least lower my ammonia. Am I doing something wrong?

Should I be using Quick Start and Stress Coat could I be getting a false reading from one if these? Also I plan to add a pot for them to breed in if I ever get this tank right it is killing me seeing this tank empty for so long.


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[burbon44s]

You should wait 24 hrs before testing your water. Or at least next day.


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[jryegolds]

Remove all the water of at least half of it, refill tank and add stress coat to H2O. Also add some filter media from your other tank to the filter of the new tank. Do you have city or well water? If you have well water I would recommend getting RO water from lfs or buy a RO/DI filter for your house. Also make sure nobody you live with is trying to be nice and is cleaning outside of tank w/ windex and yes this has happened to me. Also check your pH if too low or high the bacteria you need to cycle may not be able to establish themselves.