20g tank help,,,

[Asult316]

Hi I'm over a month now with my tank and I need advice. I went to my LFS and they said I should just leave my tank alone but I don't know I feel like I'm not getting anywhere. My pH fluctuates and my ammonia is at a constant 4.0 for almost a month. Here's my data I've collected since starting tank. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks for your help.*

Fish Tank Journal: 20 gallon tank

*4/16: Started Tank
* * * * * * * * * Added: Substrate, decorations, stress coat, stress zyme, water conditioner

4/23: Added first fish
* * * * * * * * *Angel, marigold platy, red wag sword

4/25: Ammonia: 4.0 * * * pH: 7.6
* * * * * * * * Added ammo lock

4/28: Ammonia: 2.0 * * * pH: 7.2

4/29: Added new fish (3); 2 cherry barb, angel
* * * * * * * *Added salt, bacteria

4/30: Ammonia: 2.0 * * *pH: 7.2
* * * * * * * *Cherry barb died (1)

5/1: Ammonia: 4.0 * * * *pH: 7.2
* * * * * * * *Added (2) new fish; 2 cherry barb
* * * * * * * *Added ammo lock
* * * * * * * *50% water change
* * * * * * * *Added stress coat, stress zyme, salt, bacteria
* * * * * * * *Bacteria bloom

5/2: Ammonia: 4.0 * * * * pH: 6.2

5/3: Ammonia: 4.0 * * * * pH: 6.0 *(before water change)
* * * * * * * *25% water change
* * * * * * * *Added stress coat
* * * * Ammonia: ---- * * * * pH: 6.0

5/4: Ammonia: 4.0 * * * * pH: 6.0

5/6: Ammonia: 4.0 * * * * pH: 6.0
* * * * * * * Added 10/40 drops of pH up

5/7: Ammonia: 4.0 * * * * pH: 6.6

5/9: Ammonia: 4.0 * * * * pH: 6.6 * * * * *Nitrite: 0.0 * * * *Nitrate: 0.0
* * * * * * * * 25% water change
* * * * * * * * Added stress coat, stress zyme, salt, bacteria

5/10: Ammonia: 4.0 * * *pH: 7.0 * * * * *Nitrite: 0.0 * * * * Nitrate: 0.0

5/12: Ammonia: 4.0. * * pH: 6.6. * * * * Nitrite: --- * * * * *Nitrate: 0.0

5/14: Ammonia: 4.0. * * pH: 6.6. * * * * Nitrite: 0.0. * * * *Nitrate: 5.0
* * * * * *Ammonia: 4.0. * * pH: 7.2. * * * * Nitrite: 0.0 * * * * Nitrate: ---- (Fishtown)

5/15: Topped off tank ( approx 3.5g)
* * * * * * * * Added stress zyme, stress coat

5/16: Ammonia: 4.0. * * pH: 6.6. * * * *Nitrite: 0.0. * * * * Nitrate: 5.0

5/18: Ammonia: 4.0. * * pH: 6.6. * * * *Nitrite: 0.0. * * * * Nitrate: ----

5/20: Ammonia: 4.0. * * pH: 7.0. * * * *Nitrite: 0.0. * * * * Nitrate: ----
* * * * * * * * Added stress coat, stress zyme, bacteria

5/22: Ammonia: 4.0. * * pH: 6.0. * * * *Nitrite: 0.0. * * * * Nitrate: 5.0

5/24: Ammonia: 4.0-8.0. * * pH: 6.4. * * * *Nitrite: 0.0. * * * * Nitrate: ----
* * * * * * * * Added bacteria

[es31710]

Sounds to me like you didn't cycle. Read this article by Lady Hobbs.http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aqua...ad.php?t=36492
It also sounds to me like your stocking is not right for a 20 gallon what is it now are they still alive?

[mermaidwannabe]

I think your ammonia stays so high because you keep adding fish, and the tank probably hasn't fully cycled, yet. The time frame for that is usually between four-to-eight weeks.

You should be doing massive water changes and substrate vacs at least once, preferably twice a week, since you have such a large bioload.

Then, don't add anymore fish until the cycle completes. Even then, you might be overstocked, and if you do add anymore, only add one fish every two weeks or so to give your filter a chance to adjust.

BTW, what kind of filtration do you have?

-- mermaidwannabe

[es31710]

If I have you right your stock is
2 angels
3 cherry barb
1 platy
1 sword tail
Angels cannot go in a twenty gallon they get to big 6 inches. For keeping angels you need a 30 gallon for 1 let alone 2. Cherries need to be in schools of 6 or more so once you finish the cycle these are thing that have to be done.

[Asult316]

Yes I have 2 angels, 3 cherry barbs, 1 platy and 1 sword. I know that the tank wasn't fully cycled when I added fish but the LFS that I go to which is a reputable one in my area said that I dont have a lot of fish in relation to my tank size. If you see I haven't added any fish in weeks and I don't plan on it until I get fully cycled. I have the Aqueon power filter ca-20. I know angels aren't exactly ideal for cycling but they have hung in there and all fish are currently alive. I was also told by my LFS that I shouldn't do any more water changes or anything until I've cycled because itll hinder and prolong my cycle that I should just leave my tank alone and eventually my ammonia spike will subside, only thing is that I'm worried that I've been at 4.0 for almost 4 weeks now.

[wijnands]

But why are you keeping schooling fish in such extremely low numbers?
What's the salt supposed to be doing here (Except make matters even worse)
And what kind of cleaning/maintenance are you doing?

[Asult316]

I was told that 3 would be ok for now. They were the last edition I didn't want to overload the tank too much during cycling. I plan on getting at least 3 more when my tank numbers get better. Maintenance wise I was told to leave my tank alone during cycling because it prolonges the process with water changes and whatnot.

[Asult316]

This is my tank

[pjaldave]

Okay, first of all you have 2 angels in a 20G, which is not even their recommended tank size. 30G is ok for one, let alone two in a 20G.

Second, do you know how the nitrogen cycle goes? Ammonia that high will kill your fish, even dosed with stress zyme, if you forget to add it the next day, your fish are doomed. I will do a HUGE water change to bring that ammonia down to 0.25ppm.

Third, good job on researching. Because you need to do a LOT of water changes when cycling with fish. Don't always trust in LFS employees, most of them don't know anything about fish-keeping, well, at least not the keeping part.

Do yourself and your fish a favor and do a nice chunk (80%+) of water change to bring down the ammonia levels. If you say "they told you not to do wc", then why come here for advise if you don't wanna do it? Not being rude, only straight-forward.

[wijnands]

I was told that 3 would be ok for now. They were the last edition I didn't want to overload the tank too much during cycling. I plan on getting at least 3 more when my tank numbers get better. Maintenance wise I was told to leave my tank alone during cycling because it prolonges the process with water changes and whatnot.

But why salt?