Yes, we are using the full liquid test kit and testing everything. Nothing has been against what they recommend in the instructions for the test kit or the link provided above except the Ammonia which we've been battling to get below .25. We've done water changes, cleaning, etc but it keeps maintaining the .25. The instructions and the link in this forum state that during the initial cycle the Amonia levels would spike so we figured it normal even though we continue to try and lower it often. Our water softener says on the bottle that it is also helps break down any ammonia from fish waste but still .25 even right after a water change.
I realize that it's higher then what it is supposed to be and I'm surprised we haven't lost additional fish either but we are doing the best we can. I don't know why the stupid tank won't lower in Ammonia. It's definatly not our unwillingness to try. We pamper these fish daily trying to get things balanced and healthy.
Yes, as far as I can tell we are doing everything instructed and I've read all about it. Maybe I'm an idiot... I don't know... but doing the best I can.
This seems very unfair to say? What have I discounted that is reasonable for me to fix? Not killing my blind fish? Not having 8 fish in a tank? Sorry, I'm stuck with them. Our kids have named each one of them and we only followed what the stupid pet shop told us. Now I'm just doing what I can to help them all? With all due respect... how many people out there are willing to go through the great lengths I'm going through for a single 10 cent minnow? I've been spending money on it. Taking time daily to try and feed it. Taking time to post about it on this forum as well as get pictures. etc. I'm not "discounting" anything. I'm here doing everything I freaking can trying to get our tank balanced, fish healthy, and keep my eyeless minnow alive.
He's still been kicking through everything and apparently eating as it's been 4 months and he's still alive. But he's really unhealthy now. Really skinny and he's had that white spot on his mouth no matter what I did. I tried treating for fungus and broad antibiotics 2-3 times now with no results. The past week he's been on broad antibiotics because he's been acting really odd hiding in the corner of the tank and bottom of the tank and his eye sockets (remember he has no eye ball) having began filling with scabby looking crud. Today he's swimming in place really fast but not going anywhere and got a bulge on one of his gills. He won't close his mouth and acts like he can't breath and is grasping for air or something because his mouth keeps going 100 mph. 
