Ammonia, Nitrite Etc.

[timmystood]

Hi

Let me explain the situation.
I didn't do a fishless cycle due to lack of research. I put a betta and 3 head and tail tetras in after just 1 day - 2 weeks later I added another 3 head and tail tetras and also 2 coryies (yes, I know I need more coryies).
Anyways - i've been doing daily water changes since I first added the first fish (just over 3 weeks ago).
I've just done my first test with a reliable test kit and it says Ammonia is around 1.6 and Nitrite is 0.
Shouldn't it be the other way round by now? Surely the Ammonia should have spiked by now and the Nitrite should be spiking?
Why is this happening and is there anything I can do (other than daily water changes) to reduce the ammonia levels?

Any help would be appreciated.
THANKS

 

[timmystood]

Anyone have any ideas?

 

[rdd1952]

Cycling with fish stretches it out some but you should have some nitrites by now. What chemicals including dechlorinator have you been using? What is the pH of your tank water? The ammonia at 1.6 is pretty high and could be really bad if your pH is high.

 

[timmystood]

Last pH test I did was over 8.
I also use some stuff to help batceria grow in the filter called 'Stability'.
I think the ammonia levels are a bit higher than 1.6 because it was between the colour charts 1.6 and 3.6.

 

[modernhamlet]

Last pH test I did was over 8.
I also use some stuff to help batceria grow in the filter called 'Stability'.
I think the ammonia levels are a bit higher than 1.6 because it was between the colour charts 1.6 and 3.6.

I'm afraid that ammonia above 1.6 and pH over 8 is well into the "really not good" category. I would seriously consider a massive (50%) water change, with follow-up daily 25% ones. Unless there is something wrong with your pH test kit or procedure, your fish should be dead in relatively short order at those levels.

 

[timmystood]

Yeah but my last pH test was about 2 weeks ago - none have died since then.