25 G tank not cycling

[kemullins]

I have a 25 G tank with an Eclipse filtering system. It has been established for 4 years. A while back, I had a problem with Ick, which I treated with medication. It was particularly difficult to rid the disease so I had to treat for a while. Anyway the result was a high concentration of amonia that I fought to lower for another month. (Yes, I lost all my fish)

I emptied the tank and decided to start over, I let it sit for a week and after testing the new water, I added a new family of fish. Again, after 1 week I had a high amonia level. (Which I was expecting) Yet, after another 3 months, the amonia never lowered and I have again lost all my fish. :(

I had amonia at 1.5 ppm and the ph was 6.0. I could do a 20%water change and lower the amonia to .5ppm but that was the best if ever got.

I know enough about fish tanks to understand a little about the cycling process, but I seem to know only enough to be extrememly dangerous to my fish. :)

Does any one have any suggestions? I want to try again, yet the pet store may ban me from buying any more fish. :)

Thanks,
kemullins

[OrionGirl]

Check out fishless cycling in the newbie forum--best bet, no fish involved, which means no more deaths.

[kemullins]

Thanks, I'll do that!

[anonapersona]

Reading over what you've written, I suspect overstocking. And deaths caused by secondary problems related to cycling with too many fish in the tank, too few water changes... just a wild guess, however.