Ammonia truble

[JESSU]

I notice on the 19th that I had an ammonia spike In my 55g tank(1 Black Moor, 2 Calico fan tails). On the 17/18 I had tested the water and it was fine. The spike seemed to appeared out of no where. My live ammonia detector was reading .10. I did a 50% water change and wanted to added amolock but I only had 2 capfulls left. My lfs recomended that I get Stress Coat and Wardley 3 in 1 Water Conditioner. So I did and treated the tanks. I had also put in aqua safe when I did the 50% water change. Then the live detector was reading .05. I used my liquid test kit(hagen) and it also detected ammonia 4.6. My Ph is 6.6. I found out that you are supposed to clean the bio bags once a week, I just put in new ones . I have a wisper 60 and yesterday got and setup a Penguin bio wheel 350. I have both running. I also got a diffrent ammonia test kit by Aquarium Pharmaceuticals. With it I am detecting 4.0 ppm(md/L). The in tank monitor reads .05. Will the stuff I put in my tank keep my fish alive? What else can I do?

[kimmers318]

To start with...how long has this tank been running? If it is a new tank, the ammonia spikes you are seeing are normal, dangerous but normal.
If you did not fishless cycle, your fish are now going to have to (hopefully) live thru cycling, and the whole process will take alot longer. I would not recommend trying to take readings if you are using some type of ammo lock product because although it makes it non toxic, it will still show up on the tests. Water changes without disturbing the gravel or the filter media are your best defense for the health of the fish and continue to watch your water paramters. Read up on the cycling process so that you better understand it and we will help you get thru this.

[cocoa_pleco]

yep. ammo-lock just makes in harmless to fish, but it still shows up

[JESSU]

The tank has been setup for over a month with fish in it. They where in a 5g I just used plants and stuff from that and added biospira. I think I just somehow caused a mini cycle. I had really cut back on the amout of food I was giving them because the water was really cloudy. I used to feed them alot 2 times a day to just a pinch 2 times a week. I guess the lack of poop messed up the cycle.