I can't figure it out!!

[peridot870]

I set up a tank in September. I thought it cycled (waited over 2 months with live rock and sand) so I added two clown fish, 2 weeks later we added a bi color cromis and then 2 weeks later we added a orange tailed blue damselfish. They are all doing fine but I am a bit confused. My ammonia is still at .25, never goes away even with water changes, I have little bubbles in the tank, mainly at the top. I feed the fish daily but they always seem hungry and 2 snails have died. I do have plenty for them to eat, not a lot but enough.
How do I get rid of the ammonia? What do I do about the bubbles? How often should I feed them? How do I get rid of the brown algae? Any other tips I would appreciate! Thanks

 

[unleashed]

have you done a nitrate and nitrite level test>if so what are they at? ph levels? how much water change are you doing and how foften .check all levels.what type of filter system

 

[peridot870]

All the levels are 0, normal or right where they are suppose to be, just the ammonia is at .25. I check those all the time too and they never change. I do a 25% water change every 2-3 weeks. I have a protein skimmer (Aqua C Remora), the hang on filter, Whisper or something like that and a deep sand bed. The tank is 49 gallons and was told that is all I needed. I do have the power heads. I just can't get the ammonia to come down. Still need to know how much to feed and how to get rid of the brown diatoms. Thanks!

 

[denny80688]

what test kit are you using? Some test kits show .25 even when its actuily 0. I know mine always read .25 even if I test my RO water right after its produced....

 

[peridot870]

I use the Marine Lab. Is it by Red Sea? I would have to look. I have tested the water and I belive it will test at 0. Let me try that again and I will see if it makes a difference. I know I tested it once. I want to add a few other things but I was waiting because of the ammonia. Thanks

 

[unleashed]

if amonia seems to be your biggest problem they do make a sponge filter that removes amonia from your tank it comes in a sheet style you have to size cut your self I have use this and it does work.feeding the fish is quite simple only feed your fish the amount they can consume in 3 min thats the best basis to go by how many times are yuo feeding them.the brown diatoms you shuold get some turbo snails they will eat that for you as a part of a small cleaning crew you should also have a few sand sifters in your tank to keep you tank cleaner serpant star or others to that effect.will help alot for maintaining your tank .

 

[nm reef]

Have your water tested by another source and with another type test kit and compare results...some of the "master test kits" have been known to show a false ammonia reading. I have a old American Pharmicutals test kit that shows .25 for ammonia and my salifert shows the same water as zero...I trust the salifert results.