Help Please Ammonia Still High

correct me if im wrong, but I thought nitrites eat amonia. Did you try another test kit? Just to make sure your amonia is infact at .2?

Doing water changes for high amonia will most likely have no effect. You are not allowing your nitrites to build up to consume the amonia. It does not sound like your tank has finished its cycle. Did you keep a record of your cycle progression?

G.L.C

I would suggest putting your fish in a established tank until your cycle has been completed and stop the water changes until your cycle has completed its course. What kind of fish do you have in your tank currently?

G.L.C

IMHO the problems you are encountering are due to your stocking your tank too quickly and heavily . IMHO water changes are your only choice to keep your current fish alive.
BTW, bacteria are the organisms that will consume your ammonia.

Brian

Nitrite 0 ?
Nitrate 0 ?

You could be right Brian but I have never seen a newly cycled tank with zero nitrates before. If the addition of six Damsels to a 55 gal tank did throw the tank into another cycle it will be a small one, and one that should be left alone to complete its cycle or he will be beating his head against the wall for a long time to come. Clowns and Damsels in general are pretty hardy fish and will most likely endure this mini cylce with out incident.

My biggest concern with this selection of fish is compatability. Damsels are fairly aggressive and have a tendency to smack each other around a bit.

IMHO I would wait until you see the amonia and nitrites run there course and then start your water changes back up. Having a small spike after adding your fish is normal. Not having any nitrates at this point is not.

G.L.C

Nitrites aren't capable of 'consuming' anything---they are a chemical, just like water, or ammonia. Several different kinds of bacteria process ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates--nitrites are a by-product of ammonia, nitrates are a by-product of nitrates.

If I recall the history of this tank, the nitrites have spiked perviously, correct? So, it seems likely that there was a recent increase in the supply of ammonia--either overfeeding, or the addition of uncured live rock, maybe? The ammonia rises as a result, and the nitrites will spike in a short while. There are critters 9ie, xenia) which will soak up nitrates, and a 0 reading isn't completely impossible, especially if you're doing water changes. IF you can identify the source of the additional ammonia, then using the ammo-chips to bring down this small spike is fine--just start with a small amount, adding until the ammo drops to ) and then remove them quickly. This way, the existing bio-bed--which can handle the normal load--isn't starved.

I do agree that you're going to have problems with the mix of fish you currently have--but I've said that before.